Caries lesion transition patterns of schoolchildren in a fluoridated community in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the caries lesion transition pattern in permanent tooth surfaces over 2 years among a convenience sample of children in a fluoridated (0.8 ppm F) low-socioeconomic community of Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred forty-nine schoolchildren (7-12 years) were examined for caries using Nyvad criteria at baseline and after 2 years. Descriptive analysis was used to evaluate caries lesion transition patterns. RESULTS: Less than 1% of sound surfaces and non-cavitated caries lesions at baseline progressed to cavitation stage within 2 years. 12.7% of the active non-cavitated (ANC) lesions became inactive, 34.7% regressed to sound, 48.0% remained active, and 4.6% progressed to cavitated/filled stages at follow-up. Similarly, 55.2% of the inactive non-cavitated (INC) lesions at baseline remained inactive, 33.3% regressed to sound, 8.0% progressed to cavitated/filled lesions, while only 3.5% progressed to ANC lesions. CONCLUSION: The caries lesion transition pattern in this child population exposed to water fluoride and fluoride toothpaste showed that a low proportion of sound surfaces and non-cavitated lesions progressed to cavitation within the 2-year follow-up. Caries arrest was mainly ascribed to a high proportion of active non-cavitated lesions regressing to sound or inactive lesions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Caries activity can be controlled by regular exposure to fluoridated water and fluoridated toothpaste.

Reliability and validity of a new classification of MIH based on severity.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) severity scoring system (MIH-SSS) that focuses on the defects' severity and to assess the system's validity and reliability over 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-one children diagnosed with MIH were examined by MIH-SSS. For reliability assessment, 15-20 children were examined twice, and analyses were performed at the tooth level at four different cutoff points. Follow-up examinations were performed over 36 months. Only teeth presenting MIH opacities at baseline were assessed. Odds ratios were calculated to evaluate the chance of post-eruptive breakdown (PEB) occurrence related to the colors of MIH defects. Survival curves were created for different types of teeth (molars and incisors) based on white and yellow opacities. The Kaplan-Meier method was used with PEB as the outcome. RESULTS: According to the MIH-SSS, kappa values ranged from 0.82 to 0.88. Regarding the longitudinal evaluation, for molars and incisors, yellow/brown opacities had a significantly higher chance to evolve to dentin breakdown compared with white/creamy opacities (OR = 2.54, OR = 10.58, respectively). Survival analysis showed that the occurrence of PEB was more frequent in the first evaluation period (12 months). CONCLUSION: MIH-SSS, which provides detailed information about MIH severity, is a valid instrument presenting high reliability. Yellow/brown opacities progressed more than did white/creamy opacities. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is of paramount importance to detect any surface breakdown as early as possible to be able to avoid pain and caries progression. Moreover, this is the first paper that shows survival curves for MIH enamel breakdown over time.

Cross-Protection of Dengue Virus Infection against Congenital Zika Syndrome, Northeastern Brazil.

The Zika virus outbreak in Latin America resulted in congenital malformations, called congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). For unknown reasons, CZS incidence was highest in northeastern Brazil; one potential explanation is that dengue virus (DENV)-mediated immune enhancement may promote CZS development. In contrast, our analyses of historical DENV genomic data refuted the hypothesis that unique genome signatures for northeastern Brazil explain the uneven dispersion of CZS cases. To confirm our findings, we performed serotype-specific DENV neutralization tests in a case-control framework in northeastern Brazil among 29 Zika virus-seropositive mothers of neonates with CZS and 108 Zika virus-seropositive control mothers. Neutralization titers did not differ significantly between groups. In contrast, DENV seroprevalence and median number of neutralized serotypes were significantly lower among the mothers of neonates with CZS. Supported by model analyses, our results suggest that multitypic DENV infection may protect from, rather than enhance, development of CZS.

Dental caries lesions in primary teeth without obvious cavitation: Treatment decision-making process.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries diagnosis and management have changed over time. AIM: To identify the treatment decision-making process performed by paediatric dentists, after caries detection using CAST instrument (Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment), for enamel (CAST 3) and non-cavitated dentin caries lesions (CAST 4) before and after analysing radiographic images. DESIGN: Seventy-four paediatric dentists were invited to participate. Twelve clinical cases were presented online, and treatment decisions before and after the analysis of bitewing radiographs were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-one specialists answered the questionnaire. The necessity for radiographs was significantly associated with the presence and depth of the caries lesion (P < 0.0001). CAST 3 lesions were preferentially monitored before and after the radiographic assessment. For CAST 4 lesions limited to the outer half of dentin, treatments indicated before and after radiographic analysis were sealant (33%) and restoration (40%). For the lesions in the inner half of dentin, restoration was the most cited before (45%) and after (84%) radiographs. The radiographic depth was the only significant independent variable when "change in the treatment option" was analysed by the regression model (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Enamel lesions were treated through less invasive treatments. Radiographs influenced the decision, especially for the lesions that involved the inner half of dentin.

Retention rates and caries-preventive effects of two different sealant materials: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the caries-preventive effect and the retention rates of sealants prepared with a new modified and a high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (GIC) in recently erupted first permanent molars.  MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six children (224 teeth) were included in a split-mouth randomised clinical trial. All children had their four first permanent molars sealed with either Clinpro XT Varnish (CXT) or Fuji IX GP FAST (FJ). FJ sealants were placed according to the ART protocol. Retention rates and caries-preventive effect of both materials were assessed clinically after 24 months, and survival curves were created according to the Kaplan-Meier method. For sealant retention rates, analyses were performed according to both the traditional method and modified sealant retention categorisation. RESULTS: FJ sealants were retained longer in comparison to CXT sealants (p < 0.05), regardless of the categorisation used. In relation to the caries-preventive effect, no statistically significant differences were observed between materials (p = 0.99). Sealants prepared with the high-viscosity GIC according to the ART protocol survived longer than those prepared with the modified GIC, but both materials were equally effective in preventing cavitated dentine lesions over 24 months. CONCLUSION: We concluded that GIC-based sealants are effective in preventing dentine caries lesions.

Glass hybrid restorations as an alternative for restoring hypomineralized molars in the ART model.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the survival rate of glass hybrid restorations placed under the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique in first permanent molars affected by molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). METHODS: Sixty teeth with severe MIH associated to carious dentin lesions without pulp involvement were included. Treatments were performed by one trained dentist using the ART approach and restored with a glass hybrid restorative system (Equia Forte, GC®) on school premises. Treatments were evaluated after 6 and 12 months by an independent examiner using the modified ART criterion. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and actuarial success analysis. RESULTS: The sample comprised 24 (54.54%) girls and 20 (45.45%) boys with a mean age of 10.55 (±1.25) years. In regard to the number of surfaces involved in the restorations, 29 (48.3%) comprised one surface and 31 (51.7%) two or more surfaces. Considering cavity extent, 25 (41%) presented dentin cavitation without cusp weakness, 23 (37.7%) with large dentin cavitation with cusp weakness and 13 (21.3%) with large dentin cavitation with the breakdown of one or more cusps. Only 4 teeth required local anesthesia. A success rate of 98.3% after 6 and 12 months was observed, as only one restoration failed. The only failure occurred in a restoration involving three or more sur-faces presenting the breakdown of all cusps. CONCLUSION: Restorations using a glass hybrid restorative system and performed in the field with the ART technique proved, after 12 months of evaluation, to be an effective approach to preserving first permanent molars affected by MIH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: REBEC-RBR-8drccq (17/06/15).

Caries Experience in Children with and without Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation: A Case-Control Study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the caries experience of children with and without molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH). METHODS: A case-control study was designed in which 130 children aged between 7 and 13 years with MIH (cases) were matched with 130 children without the condition (controls) according to age, sex, and school. Dental caries and MIH were assessed using the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) and European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria, respectively, by three examiners. CAST was converted into DMFT/dmft; the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to analyse whether dmft/DMFT was influenced by the severity of MIH. Associations between MIH and dental caries were analysed at child and tooth levels: between and within subjects, respectively. To correlate MIH severity and the occurrence of dental caries, the Cochran-Armitage test was used. RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 9.63 ± 1.29 years. The mean dmft for cases was 1.23 ± 1.99 and for controls 1.71 ± 2.22 (p > 0.05). For the DMFT, the mean scores for cases and controls were 0.45 ± 0.90 and 0.07 ± 0.25, respectively (p < 0.001). The between-subject analysis showed no difference in relation to enamel carious lesions; however, the prevalence of dentine carious lesions was significantly higher in children with MIH than in those without the condition. The same pattern was seen for the within-subject analysis. It was observed that the increase in MIH severity resulted in more teeth being affected by dentine carious lesions (p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Children with MIH presented a higher experience of caries in the permanent dentition than those without the condition. MIH was considered a risk factor for caries development.

Beyond the Usual Suspects: Unraveling Spleen Mastocytosis in Hypersplenism Differential Diagnosis.

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) poses a diagnostic challenge. This hematologic disorder involves abnormal mast cell proliferation and concurrent tissue infiltration. SM clinical presentation is not uniform, with patients displaying a wide array of symptoms related to different organ infiltration and mast cell mediators. Splenomegaly, while not typical or specific to SM, might be present from an early stage to advanced stage, especially in the presence of thrombocytopenia. Early detection is crucial for optimal patient outcomes. We present an atypical case of SM with spleen involvement in a 63-year-old male patient with a history of persistent thrombocytopenia for five years. Upon splenectomy, histological findings were compatible with infiltration with mast cells. Remarkably, the patient showed improvement and did not require additional cytoreductive therapy. This case underlines the importance of recognizing this rare presentation and highlights the potential therapeutic role of splenectomy in aggressive SM.

IL-31 and IL-8 in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: Looking for Their Role in Itch.

The itch associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), including Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), is often severe and poorly responsive to treatment with antihistamines. Recent studies have highlighted the possible role of interleukins in nonhistaminergic itch. We investigated the role of IL-31 and IL-8 in CTCL, concerning disease severity and associated itch. Serum samples of 27 patients with CTCL (17 MF and 10 SS) and 29 controls (blood donors) were analyzed for interleukin- (IL-) 31 and IL-8; correlations with disease and itch severity were evaluated. IL-31 serum levels were higher in CTCL patients than in controls and higher in SS than in MF. Also, serum IL-31 levels were higher in patients with advanced disease compared to those with early disease, and they correlated positively with lactate dehydrogenase and beta 2-microglobulin levels, as well as with the Sézary cell count. Itch affected 67% of CTCL patients (MF: 47%; SS: 100%). Serum IL-31 levels were higher in itching patients than in controls and in patients without itching. There was no association between serum IL-8 and disease severity, nor with itching. Serum IL-8 levels correlated positively with peripheral blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts in CTCL patients. Our study suggests a role for IL-31 in CTCL-associated itch, especially in advanced disease and SS, offering a rational target for new therapeutic approaches. Increased serum IL-8 observed in some patients may be related to concomitant infections, and its role in exacerbating itch by recruiting neutrophils and promoting the release of neutrophil proteases deserves further investigation.

A bioluminescent and homogeneous SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and hACE2 interaction assay for antiviral screening and monitoring patient neutralizing antibody levels.

Here we describe a homogeneous bioluminescent immunoassay based on the interaction between Fc-tagged SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD and human ACE2, and its detection by secondary antibodies labeled with NanoLuc luciferase fragments LgBit and SmBit. The assay utility for the discovery of novel inhibitors was demonstrated with a panel of anti-RBD antibodies, ACE2-derived miniproteins and soluble ACE2. Studying the effect of RBD mutations on ACE2 binding showed that the N501Y mutation increased RBD apparent affinity toward ACE2 tenfold that resulted in escaping inhibition by some anti-RBD antibodies. In contrast, while E484K mutation did not highly change the binding affinity, it still escaped antibody inhibition likely due to changes in the epitope recognized by the antibody. Also, neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) from COVID-19 positive samples from two distinct regions (USA and Brazil) were successfully detected and the results further suggest the persistence of NAbs for at least 6 months post symptom onset. Finally, sera from vaccinated individuals were tested for NAbs and showed varying neutralizing activity after first and second doses, suggesting the assay can be used to assess immunity of vaccinated populations. Our results demonstrate the broad utility and ease of use of this methodology both for drug discovery and clinical research applications.

Patients opinion and adherence to antimalarials in lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Objective: To obtain the opinion of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus about the use of antimalarials through questionnaires and to evaluate their adherence to medication.Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients treated with antimalarial medication for a period equal to or longer than 1 year attended between November 2012 and October 2014. A structured questionnaire with 12 questions was filled out.Results: Among 300 patients examined, 92% (275) used medication regularly. Hydroxychloroquine was used by 55% (166) of patients, chloroquine by 25% (75), and 20% (59) reported using both medications at different moments. Most of the patients (221 or 74%) were using medication seven days a week and had taken it for a period longer than 5 years; 61% (182) considered the treatment good and said, 21% (63) said, 'It is good, but I'm afraid of taking it'. Most of the patients (70% or 211) did not report any adverse symptoms. Their main claim was related to blurred vision, which was solved by a refraction examination.Conclusions: Fear has been a factor that makes adherence to treatment difficult. Making patients aware of the importance of the treatment is strongly relevant because antimalarials are well tolerated.

[Cutaneous Manifestations in Mastocytosis: Update]. / Manifestações Cutâneas nas Mastocitoses: Atualização.

INTRODUCTION: Mastocytosis is characterized by the clonal expansion of morphological and immunophenotypically abnormal mast cells in different organs. The skin is the most frequently affected tissue. Virtually all children and more than 80% of adult patients with mastocytosis show cutaneous lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present article describes the symptoms and signs in cutaneous mastocytosis, based on the review of recently published international consensus guidelines. DISCUSSION: According to the 2016 World Health Organization classification, mastocytosis can be divided in cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis and mast cell sarcoma. Cutaneous mastocytosis is subclassified in three subtypes: maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis, diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis and cutaneous astocytoma. Telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans is no longer considered a distinct entity. CONCLUSION: Based on the age of onset, cutaneous manifestations of mastocytosis can be variable. The classification of cutaneous mastocytosis has recently been updated. Typically, in patients with childhood-onset mastocytosis, the disease occurs as cutaneous mastocytosis and shows spontaneous resolution around puberty. In contrast, adult patients, despite having also cutaneous lesions, often show systemic involvement and the course of the disease is usually chronic.

Introdução: As mastocitoses caraterizam-se pela expansão clonal de mastócitos, com acumulação de mastócitos morfológica e imunofenotipicamente anormais em diferentes órgãos. A pele é o órgão mais frequentemente envolvido. Virtualmente, todas as crianças e mais de 80% dos adultos com mastocitose apresentam lesões cutâneas.Material e Métodos: O presente artigo descreve os sinais e sintomas associados à mastocitose na pele, tendo por base a revisão das normas de orientação de consenso internacionais, recentemente publicadas.Discussão: De acordo com a classificação proposta pela Organização Mundial de Saúde em 2016, a mastocitose divide-se em mastocitose cutânea, mastocitose sistémica e sarcoma de mastócitos. A mastocitose cutânea pode subdividir-se em três subtipos: a mastocitose cutânea maculopapular (também denominada urticária pigmentosa), mastocitose cutânea difusa e mastocitoma cutâneo. A telangiectasia macular eruptiva perstans já não é considerada uma entidade independente.Conclusão: As manifestações cutâneas da mastocitose são variáveis, dependendo da idade de início da doença. Recentemente a classificação da mastocitose cutânea foi atualizada. Nas crianças, a mastocitose ocorre como mastocitose cutânea que tende à regressão espontânea durante a adolescência. Quando tem início na idade adulta, a mastocitose é geralmente sistémica, sendo a forma mais frequente a mastocitose sistémica indolente, que normalmente também cursa com manifestações cutâneas e tem um curso crónico.

Evaluation of toxic retinopathy caused by antimalarial medications with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of toxic retinopathy in patients with lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis with long-term use of chloroquine diphosphate or hydroxychloroquine through spectral domain optical coherence tomography and the outcomes of ophthalmological exams (visual acuity - Snellen's table, color vision test - Ishihara's table, fundoscopy, and retinography - red-free). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving the ophthalmologic evaluation of patients using regular chloroquine diphosphate or hydroxychloroquine for a period of 1 year or longer. The patients completed a questionnaire on their opinions and treatment regularity. The same patients underwent ophthalmologic examination and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The prevalence of toxic retinopathy caused by antimalarials was 4.15% (9 of 217 patients), 7.4% (4 of 54 patients) following chloroquine diphosphate usage, and 0.82% (1 of 121 patients) following hydroxychloroquine usage. Only patients with advanced stage maculopathy presented abnormalities during the ophthalmologic exam: the color vision test was altered in 11.1%, and visual acuity and fundoscopy were altered in 33.3%. Identification of early toxic retinopathy, detected in six patients, was possible using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The mean duration of antimalarial drug usage among patients with toxic retinopathy was 10.4 years. Only 31% of the patients reported some symptoms during treatment, and although 24% were afraid to use the medication, they did so as prescribed. CONCLUSION: Use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography was essential for the diagnosis of early-stage antimalarial toxic retinopathy in patients with the following characteristics: asymptomatic, antimalarial use 7 days a week for a period of more than 5 years, and normal clinical ophthalmologic examination.

Mechanical and optical properties of conventional restorative glass-ionomer cements - a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic review of test methodologies on conventional restorative glass-ionomer cement (GIC) materials for mechanical and optical properties to compare the results between different GICs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Screening of titles and abstracts, data extraction, and quality assessments of full-texts were conducted in search for in vitro studies on conventional GICs that follow the relevant specifications of ISO standards regarding the following mechanical and optical properties: compressive strength, flexural strength, color, opacity and radiopacity. SOURCES: The Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS), Brazilian Bibliography of Dentistry (BBO) databases from Latin-American and Caribbean System on Health Sciences Information (BIREME) and PubMed/Medline (US National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health) databases were searched regardless of language. Altogether, 1146 in vitro studies were selected. Two reviewers independently selected and assessed the articles according to pre-established inclusion/exclusion criteria. Among all the properties investigated, only one study was classified as being of fair quality that tested compressive strength and was included. It was observed that many authors had not strictly followed ISO recommendations and that, for some properties (diametral tensile strength and microhardness), there are no guidelines provided. CONCLUSIONS: It was not possible to compare the results for the mechanical and optical properties of conventional restorative GICs due to the lack of standardization of studies.

The influence of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system position on bleeding patterns in reproductive age women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether users of the non-fundal levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) present with unfavorable bleeding patterns more frequently than fundal LNG-IUS users. METHODS: A prospective cohort was conducted from June, 2016 to January, 2018 involving women aged 18-45 years who wished to use the LNG-IUS as contraception and had no contraindications, endometrial polyps, submucosal myomas, irregular menstrual cycle, or anticoagulant use. Two study groups comprised women using fundal insertion and non-fundal insertion LNG-IUS. Bleeding was evaluated using a diary and pictogram chart. RESULTS: Of the 92 women who participated in the study, those with non-fundal LNG-IUS insertion sustained bleeding at rates greater than 83% (31) in the first 3 months of use, and 58% (14) at 6 months, versus 51% (22) at 3 months and 33% (19) at 6 months in those with fundal insertion (P=0.002 at 3 months; P=0.037 at 6 months). Blood loss in the non-fundal LNG-IUS group was higher than in the fundal LNG-IUS group according to pictograms drawn by participants. CONCLUSION: Women with non-fundal LNG-IUS placement had a higher frequency of sustained bleeding and blood loss volume according to self-reported charts than those with fundal LNG-IUS placement.

Autoclaving and battery capacity influence on laser fluorescence measurements.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of probe tip autoclaving and depleted alkaline batteries on laser fluorescence (LF-DIAGNOdent) device performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred-and-twenty occlusal sites were analyzed with an LF device in nine conditions: No autoclaved probe and probe after 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 autoclaving cycles. Subsequently, the performance of the device was analyzed with: New batteries, batteries with 1.49/1.39 V, 1.38/1.37 V, 1.36/1.34 V, 1.33/1.32 V, and lower than 1.32 V. LF values, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve were compared. RESULTS: In the probe study, sensitivity was lower after 50 sterilizing cycles, though specificity was higher than the assessment performed using a new tip. In the batteries study, specificity was higher for depleted batteries, but LF performance did not differ significantly among the groups. CONCLUSION: Batteries do not significantly influence device performance, but consecutive sterilization of probes in autoclave alters readings, downgrading its performance.

KIT D816V Positive Acute Mast Cell Leukemia Associated with Normal Karyotype Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Mast cell (MC) leukemia (MCL) is extremely rare. We present a case of MCL diagnosed concomitantly with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). CASE REPORT: A 41-year-old woman presented with asthenia, anorexia, fever, epigastralgia, and diarrhea. She had a maculopapular skin rash, hepatosplenomegaly, retroperitoneal adenopathies, pancytopenia, 6% blast cells (BC) and 20% MC in the peripheral blood, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, cholestasis, hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and increased serum tryptase (184 µg/L). The bone marrow (BM) smears showed 24% myeloblasts, 17% promyelocytes, and 16% abnormal toluidine blue positive MC, and flow cytometry revealed 12% myeloid BC, 34% aberrant promyelocytes, a maturation blockage at the myeloblast/promyelocyte level, and 16% abnormal CD2-CD25+ MC. The BM karyotype was normal, and the KIT D816V mutation was positive in BM cells. The diagnosis of MCL associated with AML was assumed. The patient received corticosteroids, disodium cromoglycate, cladribine, idarubicin and cytosine arabinoside, high-dose cytosine arabinoside, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The outcome was favorable, with complete hematological remission two years after diagnosis and one year after HSCT. CONCLUSIONS: This case emphasizes the need of an exhaustive laboratory evaluation for the concomitant diagnosis of MCL and AML, and the therapeutic options.