Did the Use of Minimum Interventions for Caries Management Change during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the frequency of use of minimum intervention (MI) techniques for caries management during the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire was applied through the SurveyMonkeyTM platform to evaluate changes in the dentist's frequency of use of noninvasive, microinvasive, minimally invasive, and mixed interventions, nonaerosol or aerosol productive, to manage dental caries before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Differences in the use of MI techniques were analyzed by Wilcoxon test, and the effect size (ES) was calculated. An α = 0.05 was adopted. A total of 781 dentists answered the questionnaire; most of them were female (76.4%), with 30s (76.4%), graduated over 10-24 years ago (38%) in public dental schools (62%), graduated in southwest of Brazil (38%), that work in clinical environment (66.8%) and in private jobs (53.4%). During COVID-19, among the sample, 91 respondents were not working. In relation to the noninvasive techniques, only the use of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.01; ES = 0.11). The frequency of sealants to repair defective restorations was the only microinvasive technique that increased during the pandemic (p < 0.01; ES = 0.03). Among the minimally invasive techniques, the use of atraumatic restorative treatment increased significantly (p < 0.01; ES = 0.06), while the use of air abrasion decreased (p = 0.02; ES = 0.04) during COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, nonrestorative cavity control (mixed intervention) increased during pandemic period (p < 0.001; ES = 0.11). Although the results demonstrated differences in the use of some procedures, a very small magnitude of the effect was perceived, demonstrating that the influence of COVID-19 pandemic was very little, if any, in the use of MI techniques for caries management. Moreover, the use of MI strategies was already well established between Brazilian dentists before the pandemic period.

Cone-beam computed tomography study of mandibular morphology and tooth compensation in asymmetrical patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated mandibular morphology and transverse dental compensation between symmetrical and asymmetrical subjects, allocated according to sagittal skeletal patterns. In addition, the hypothesis that mandibular morphology and dental compensations differed between symmetrical/asymmetrical groups and also among the different types of sagittal skeletal patterns was tested. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 96 patients were included in this study and were divided into 2 groups according to the degree of menton deviation: a symmetrical group with deviation up to 2.0 mm (n = 48; mean age, 15 ± 6 years), and an asymmetrical group with deviation from 3.5 mm (n = 48; mean age, 16 ± 8 years). The 2 groups were divided in accordance with the ANB angle: Class I, II, and III. Skeletal and dental measurements were performed. Intergroup and intragroup analyses were carried out, using a 2-way analysis of variance to assess the interaction of factors: symmetry and sagittal skeletal pattern; and the Student t test for differences between deviated (Dv) and nondeviated (NDv) sides. RESULTS: Symmetrical/asymmetrical groups and Class I, II, and III groups were similar in relation to demographic aspects (P = 0.412 and P = 0.357 for sex and age, respectively). Asymmetrical patients had higher values for body length and mandibular ramus and condyle height on the NDv side (P = 0.011, P = 0.024, and P = 0.001, respectively). When comparing the different skeletal patterns, patients with a Class III relationship demonstrated higher values for mandibular ramus height. Intergroup analysis showed no differences in dental parameters. In the comparison between the sides, the asymmetrical group showed a significant difference in canine inclination (P = 0.008), mandibular ramus height (P = 0.004), condyle height (P = 0.010) and gonion to midsagittal plane distance (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetrical subjects showed higher values for canine inclination and mandibular body, ramus and condylar height on the NDv side. The hypothesis was partially confirmed that mandibular morphology and dental compensations are different between symmetrical/asymmetrical groups and among different sagittal skeletal patterns.

Effect of treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency using rapid palatal expansion on oral health-related quality of life in children: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: This trial aimed to longitudinally evaluate the effect of the treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency using rapid palatal expansion (RPE) on self-perceived oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) in children. METHODS: Eighty participants aged 8-10 years with transverse maxillary deficiency and bilateral posterior crossbite were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n = 40 each): a group treated with RPE using hyrax-type appliances and a nontreated control group. OHRQOL was assessed by using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for 8-10-year-olds at 4 times: before RPE, during RPE (T1), at the end of RPE (T2), and 1 month after the appliance removal (T3). Generalized mixed models were used for data analysis (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Both groups exhibited similar demographic characteristics and OHRQOL scores at baseline. All participants completed the study. RPE had a time-dependent effect on OHRQOL. At T1 and T2, this therapy is expected to increase the overall OHRQOL scores by 1.17 times (ie, ∼17% increase; T1 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.26; T2 95% CI, 1.09-1.27; P = 0.001). In contrast, the overall OHRQOL scores at T3 are expected to be 0.28 times the baseline scores (ie, ∼72% reduction; T3 95% CI, 0.26-0.31; P = 0.001). All individual domains of the OHRQOL evidenced a positive impact of treatment at T3 (P = 0.001). Only the oral symptoms and social well-being domains showed a significantly negative impact of the treatment at T1 and T2. CONCLUSIONS: Correction of the transverse maxillary deficiency by RPE in children aged 8-10 years improves OHRQOL. There is a temporary worsening of OHRQOL during the treatment of this condition using RPE. REGISTRATION: This trial was not registered. PROTOCOL: The protocol was not published before trial commencement. FUNDING: This study was financed by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil, Financing Code 001.

Perception Regarding Pediatric Dentist's Appearance and Factors Influencing the Child's Responses.

OBJECTIVE: To develop, validate, and apply an instrument for assessing the children's perception regarding pediatric dentist's appearance, based upon the influence of age, gender, previous dental experience, and anxiety. STUDY DESIGN: Images and a nine-item questionnaire were developed. The acceptability, convergent-construct validity, and reliability based on reproducibility and internal consistency were evaluated. The validated instrument was applied in a cross-sectional study, with children (n=120) aged 7-12 years asked to evaluate images of pediatric dentists wearing different dental attire (A:all-white (control); B:printed coat and cap, colorful face mask; C:printed coat, cap and face mask; and D:white coat and cap, printed face mask). Children's age, gender, and previous dental experiences were collected with the guardians. The Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale assessed children's anxiety. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out (p<0.05). RESULTS: The instrument showed excellent acceptability, construct validity with moderate and strong correlations (>0.40), satisfactory reproducibility (ICC >0.70), and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient >0.70). Considering only the attire, the children's perceptions were more positive with the use of attire C and D (p<0.05). Intergroup analysis of all the variables did not identify a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). In the intragroup analysis, compared to attire A: younger children have higher perception scores to attire D; girls, children with previous experience and without anxiety favored attire C and D; and children without previous experience showed no difference in comparison to A but did between B and C (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The C and D attires promoted a more positive perception of the appearance of a pediatric dentist when compared to A; however, age, gender, previous dental experience, and anxiety did not influence the perception scores.

Does dental trauma influence the social judgment and motivation to seek dental treatment by children and adolescents? Development, validation, and application of an instrument for the evaluation of traumatic dental injuries and their consequences.

BACKGROUND: One's smile clearly plays a significant role in the perception and judgment that others have of one's appearance and personality. AIM: We sought to develop and validate a questionnaire related to the social judgment of children and adolescents and to evaluate, through its application, the perceptions and judgment of children and adolescents regarding their view of different traumatic dental injuries and their consequences (TDIs-Cs) as well as the motivation to seek dental treatment. DESIGN: The aspects of acceptability, discriminative properties, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity were evaluated in the developed questionnaire. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 boys and girls aged 10-15 years. Images of an adolescent male and female were either manipulated or not (control) to create different types of TDI-C (eg, enamel fracture, enamel and dentin fracture, crown colour change, and tooth loss/avulsion). These images were analysed by the participants, using a previously validated questionnaire with a six-positive-point and six-negative-point scale, in relation to their social physical and psychosocial characteristics. The data were analysed with the Friedman, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The developed questionnaire presented high acceptability, strong discriminative properties, satisfactory internal consistency, and satisfactory test-retest reliability, but weak construct validity. The presence of TDI-C had a negative effect on all characteristics evaluated (P < 0.001). Tooth loss had the highest level of rejection. Additionally, the presence of TDI-C had a greater negative impact on the aspects of 'starting fights', 'being given a nickname', and 'being ashamed to smile' in males than in females (P < 0.05). Children and adolescents with TDI-C were judged as needing to seek dental treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The questionnaire developed showed properties of validity and reliability in its administration in a child and adolescent population. TDIs-Cs have a negative influence on the social judgment of children and adolescents.

Common 3-dimensional coordinate system for assessment of directional changes.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to evaluate how head orientation interferes with the amounts of directional change in 3-dimensional (3D) space and to propose a method to obtain a common coordinate system using 3D surface models. METHODS: Three-dimensional volumetric label maps were built for pretreatment (T1) and posttreatment (T2) from cone-beam computed tomography images of 30 growing subjects. Seven landmarks were labeled in all T1 and T2 volumetric label maps. Registrations of T1 and T2 images relative to the cranial base were performed, and 3D surface models were generated. All T1 surface models were moved by orienting the Frankfort horizontal, midsagittal, and transporionic planes to match the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes, respectively, at a common coordinate system in the Slicer software (open-source, version 4.3.1; http://www.slicer.org). The matrix generated for each T1 model was applied to each corresponding registered T2 surface model, obtaining a common head orientation. The 3D differences between the T1 and registered T2 models, and the amounts of directional change in each plane of the 3D space, were quantified for before and after head orientation. Two assessments were performed: (1) at 1 time point (mandibular width and length), and (2) for longitudinal changes (maxillary and mandibular differences). The differences between measurements before and after head orientation were quantified. Statistical analysis was performed by evaluating the means and standard deviations with paired t tests (mandibular width and length) and Wilcoxon tests (longitudinal changes). For 16 subjects, 2 observers working independently performed the head orientations twice with a 1-week interval between them. Intraclass correlation coefficients and the Bland-Altman method tested intraobserver and interobserver agreements of the x, y, and z coordinates for 7 landmarks. RESULTS: The 3D differences were not affected by the head orientation. The amounts of directional change in each plane of 3D space at 1 time point were strongly influenced by head orientation. The longitudinal changes in each plane of 3D space showed differences smaller than 0.5 mm. Excellent intraobserver and interobserver repeatability and reproducibility (>99%) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of directional change in each plane of 3D space is strongly influenced by head orientation. The proposed method of head orientation to obtain a common 3D coordinate system is reproducible.

Force decay of latex and non-latex intermaxillary elastics: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate force decay between intermaxillary orthodontic elastics with and without latex in the oral medium at different time intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intermaxillary orthodontic elastics with and without latex [1/8″ (3.2mm), 1/4″ (6.35mm), and 5/16″ (7.94mm) in diameter] were evaluated 'clinically'. For this purpose, 26 patients served as hosts for the elastics during the evaluation period. Initially, 52 thermoplasticized plates 1mm thick were made according to the patients' mould. Then, the orthodontic accessories were bonded to the plates, which kept the elastics distended throughout the experimental period. The force released by the elastics at this distance was evaluated at 0, 12, and 24 hours. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests (significance set at 5 per cent). RESULTS: Elastics with and without latex presented with permanent deformation and increasing internal diameter throughout the entire period. Elastics with latex, 1/8″ (3.2mm) in diameter, sustained higher levels of force than those without latex. Elastics measuring 1/4″ (6.35mm) and 5/16″ (7.94mm) in diameter without latex sustained higher levels of force at 0 and 12 hours compared to those with latex. At the end of the experiment (24 hours), no significant difference was observed between the elastics (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS: This study only evaluated three time intervals: 0, 12, and 24 hours. If the behaviour was evaluated at different time intervals, different behaviours of these materials might be revealed. CONCLUSION: Elastics with latex 1/8″ in diameter sustained a higher level of final force than the corresponding type without latex. The 1/4 and 5/16 elastics with and without latex were not different at the end of the evaluation period.

Effect of bromelain and papain gel on enamel deproteinisation before orthodontic bracket bonding.

AIM: To test the hypothesis that enamel surface deproteinisation with different concentrations of bromelain in association with 10% papain increases the shear bond strength (SBS) of brackets bonded with orthodontic composite and resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthodontic brackets were attached according to the following protocols to 195 bovine incisors, which were acquired and divided into 13 groups: 1) Transbond XT (TXT) according to the manufacturer's recommendations; 2) Deproteinisation with 3% bromelain (BD) plus 10% papain and TXT; 3) 6% BD plus 10% Papain and TXT; 4) RMGIC, without enamel deproteinisation and without acid etching; 5) RMGIC, with 3% BD plus 10% papain and without acid etching; 6) RMGIC, with 6% BD plus 10% papain and without acid etching; 7) attachment using RMGIC following etching with polyacrylic acid; 8) 3% BD plus 10% papain, attachment using RMGIC and etching with polyacrylic acid; 9) 6% BD plus 10% papain, and attachment using RMGIC following etching with polyacrylic acid; 10) etching with 37% phosphoric acid and attachment using RMGIC; 11) 3% BD plus 10% papain, etching with 37% phosphoric acid and attachment using RMGIC; 12) 6% BD plus 10% papain, etching with 37% phosphoric acid and attachment using RMGIC; 13) deproteinisation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), etching with polyacrylic acid and RMGIC. After bonding, the brackets were removed by a universal mechanical testing machine, which recorded shear bond strength at failure. The material remaining on the tooth was assessed using the adhesive remnant index (ARI). RESULTS: Deproteinisation with 3% and 6% bromelain gel plus papain significantly increased the shear bond strength (p < 0.05), when acid etching was performed with phosphoric acid, followed by primer application and attachment using Transbond XT (Group 3) and when attached with RMGIC without etching. Deproteinisation with 6% bromelain gel plus papain significantly increased (p < 0.05) the ARI score only when attachment was performed using RMGIC, without etching (Group 6). CONCLUSIONS: Deproteinisation with bromelain associated with papain in a gel increased the shear bond strength and is recommended before orthodontic bracket attachment.

Determinants of falls in community-dwelling elderly: hierarchical analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the fall-related factors in community-dwelling elderly. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Epidemiologic cross-sectional population-based household study with hierarchical interrelationships among the potential risk factors. The sample was made up of noninstitutionalized individuals over age 60, who were resident of a city in Brazil's Northeast Region. MEASURES: The dependent variable was fall occurrence in the last 12 months; independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral, health, and functional status factors. Multivariate hierarchical Poisson regression analysis was used based on a proposed theoretic model. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixteen (89.0%) elderly participated of the survey, average age 74.2 years; the majority was female, with limited literacy and had low-medium family income. The fall prevalence was of 25.8%; occurrence was related to depression symptoms (PR = 1.55) and balance limitation (PR = 1.56). CONCLUSIONS: The high fall prevalence among elderly necessitates the identification of fall-related factors for action planning prevention programs with this group.

Do dental esthetics have any influence on finding a job?

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to determine whether dental esthetics have any influence on finding a new job. METHODS: Ten patients with orthodontic treatment needs for various types of malocclusions were selected. Smiling facial photographs of all patients were obtained and digitally altered (orthodontic correction of teeth). After the images were obtained, 2 different questionnaires were prepared (survey groups A and B) with the photographs without alteration (showing malocclusion) and altered (with orthodontic correction). Subjects appeared in one questionnaire (survey group) with an ideal smile and also in the other (survey group) with a nonideal smile. The images were evaluated by 100 persons responsible for hiring staff for commercial companies. In each survey group, 4 questions were asked regarding the individuals' likelihood of being hired, honesty, intelligence, and efficiency at work. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to determine the differences in the evaluations of patients with ideal and nonideal dental esthetics for the 4 characteristics evaluated. The level of significance adopted was 5%. RESULTS: The photographs of persons with ideal dental esthetics were, on average, evaluated as superior with respect to intelligence and likelihood of being hired than were the photographs of the same subjects with nonideal dental esthetics. For the characteristics of honesty and efficiency, no significant differences were observed in the evaluations between those with ideal and nonideal smiles (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Persons with ideal smiles are considered more intelligent and have a greater chance of finding a job when compared with persons with nonideal smiles.

Perception of laypersons and dental professionals and students as regards the aesthetic impact of gingival plastic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of perception of laypersons, professionals, and dental students, regarding the aesthetic appearance of the smile in cases of gingival plastic surgery of the maxilla for correction of a gingival smile, by examining alterations in photographs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Alterations were made to an extraoral front-view-photograph of a gingival smile in normal occlusion, by gingival recontouring of the maxilla, simulating a gingival plastic surgery procedure to diminish gingival exposure. For this purpose, specific image-manipulation program (Adobe-Photoshop-Software-CS3) was used. Images were printed on photographic-paper, attached to questionnaire, distributed among laypersons, professionals, and dental students to evaluate degree of aesthetics (n = 150). To evaluate degree of aesthetics, an attractiveness scale was used, with 0 representing hardly attractive, 5 for attractive, and 10 for very attractive. Differences between examiners were examined by Mann-Whitney test. All the statistics were performed with a confidence level of 95 per cent. RESULTS: Both dental professionals and students and laypersons were capable of identifying alterations resulting from gingival plastic surgery. In all evaluated groups, they demonstrated that large gingival extension does not always affect aesthetic appearance of the smile, and maxillary incisors not being much visualized is characterized as hardly attractive, with statistically lower scores being attributed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to aesthetic parameters, the presence of the gingiva is important in the composition of the smile, however, only when exposed to small extent.

Peeling with retinoic acid in microemulsion for treatment of melasma: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of peeling with a microemulsion formulation containing 1% retinoic acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After development of the product, 60 patients with melasma were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20): Group 1-application of conventional 1% retinoic acid peeling (RA 1%). Group 2-application of 1% retinoic acid peeling in microemulsion (RA 1%M). Group 3-Application of placebo. The groups were submitted to four peeling sessions, fortnightly on Days 0, 15, 30, and 45, and analyzed at the time intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. Evaluation was made by using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) and Melasma Quality of Life (MelasquoL) instrument. Hemato-biochemical parameters were also evaluated at Days 0 and 60. After obtaining the results, normality was evaluated by means of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and afterwards, the following tests were applied: Friedman statistical (to test the effect of the treatments on the MASI index); Wilcoxon, (for comparison between pairs to test the effect of treatments on the MelasQoL index); Kruskal-Wallis, (to test the differences between the groups); and Mann-Whitney, (comparisons between treatments). The level of significance adopted was 5% (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The three groups presented a significant reduction in the MASI index, indicating the effect of all the treatments on reducing the melasma (p < 0.001). A significant reduction in the stains was observed with the use of retinoic acid peeling delivered in microemulsion (62%) when compared with the conventional peeling with 1% retinoic acid in a conventional vehicle (26%) and the placebo (12%). There was also a significant reduction in the MelasQoL index (sum of all the aspects) in the three groups, indicating the effect of all the treatments, including the placebo, on the overall quality of life of those with melasma. However, RA 1%M the treatment that promoted the greatest effect on the quality of life of individuals. In percentage terms, the RA 1%M provided a mean reduction of 30% in the MelasQoL index, against 13% of the conventional treatment and only 4% of the placebo. When the hemato-biochemical parameters were compared on Days 0 and 60, there were no significant changes in the results. CONCLUSION: The chemical peeling performed with RA 1%M was effective for the treatment of melasma, and was shown to be superior to the peeling performed with retinoic acid in a conventional vehicle, in reducing the stains and improving the quality of life of patients.

Anthropometric indicators of obesity as screening tools for high blood pressure in the elderly.

The study objectives were to investigate the indicators of obesity most associated with high blood pressure in community-dwelling elderly and identify among these which one best discriminates high blood pressure. This is an epidemiological, population, cross-sectional and home-based study of elderly people (≥ 60 years, n = 316) residing in northeastern Brazil. The results showed that the body mass index and the body adiposity index were the indicators more closely associated with high blood pressure in both sexes. Both in female and male genders, body mass index showed high values of specificity and low sensitivity values for discriminating high blood pressure, whereas the body adiposity index showed high sensitivity and moderate specificity values. In clinical practice and health surveillance, it is suggested that both indicators be used as screening tools for hypertension in the elderly.

Esthetic perception of black spaces between maxillary central incisors by different age groups.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this research was to evaluate esthetic perceptions of the smile, especially regarding black spaces between the maxillary central incisors, by laypersons in 3 age groups. METHODS: Photographs were digitally manipulated to simulate black spaces in the region of the maxillary central incisor crenations. The images were printed on photographic paper and attached to a questionnaire that was given to 150 laypersons in 3 age groups: 15 to 19, 35 to 44, and 65 to74 years. They were asked to use a visual analog scale method to rate the smiles from a score of 0, corresponding to "not very attractive," to 10, "very attractive." Differences between the examiners were verified by the Mann-Whitney test. All statistics were performed with a degree of confidence of 95%. RESULTS: The results showed that older persons had more difficulty perceiving black spaces. In the younger groups, the subjects were better able to perceive the black spaces, and the larger the black space, the less attractive they rated the photograph (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Younger people are more likely than older people to perceive black spaces in maxillary incisor crenations. The larger the black spaces, the less attractive they rate the smile.

[Motor performance of the elderly in northeast Brazil: differences with age and sex]. / Desempenho motor de idosos do Nordeste brasileiro: diferenças entre idade e sexo.

The aim of this study was to examine motor performance according to sex and age group in community-dwelling elderly individuals of the Brazilian Northeast. This was a cross-sectional study, which analyzed data of 316 elderly individuals from a population-based household epidemiological survey performed in January 2011. Participants of the study included 173 women (54.7%) and 143 men with an mean age of 74.2 ± 9.8 years. Women presented higher functional decline due to aging and more functional limitations in strength/endurance tests in lower members and locomotion. In both sexes, the prevalence of functional limitation was higher in the age groups 70-79 years and > 80 years, with women showing more limitation after age 70 and men after age 80. Data from this study can aid the planning of interventions for prevention, maintenance or improvement of functional limitation in older people, providing more integrated care.

Therapeutic or lifelong training effects on pancreatic morphological and functional parameters in an animal model of aging and obesity.

AIMS: Obesity, aging, and physical training are factors influencing pancreatic functional and morphological parameters. Aiming to clarify the impact of the interaction of these factors, we analyzed the effect of therapeutic or lifelong physical training on body adiposity and pancreatic functional and morphological parameters of aged and obese rats. METHODS: 24 male Wistar rats were (initial age = 4 months and final age = 14 months) randomly divided into three aged and obese experimental groups (n = 8/group): untrained, therapeutic trained, and lifelong trained. Body adiposity, plasmatic concentration and pancreatic immunostaining of insulin, markers of tissue inflammation, lipid peroxidation, activity and immunostaining of antioxidant enzymes, and parameters of pancreatic morphology were evaluated. RESULTS: Lifelong physical training improved the body adiposity, plasmatic insulin concentration, and macrophage immunostaining in the pancreas. The animals submitted to therapeutic and lifelong training showed an increase in the density of the pancreatic islets; lower insulin, Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB), and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-ß) immunostaining in the pancreatic parenchyma, as well as lower pancreatic tissue lipid peroxidation, lower fibrosis area, increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) immunostaining, with the greatest effect in the lifelong training group. CONCLUSION: Lifelong training promoted greater beneficial effects on the pancreatic functional and morphological parameters of aged and obese animals compared to therapeutic exercise.

Dietary Soy Isoflavones Prevent Metabolic Disturbs Associated with a Deleterious Combination of Obesity and Menopause.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation (25 mg/kg) on insulin resistance and inflammation in adipose tissue in an experimental model of menopause-obesity. Twenty-four female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (O) and distributed among the groups: OSD-ovariectomized rats submitted to normocaloric standard diet (n = 6); OHF-ovariectomized rats submitted to high-fat diet (n = 9); and OHFI-ovariectomized rats submitted to high-fat diet with isoflavones (n = 9). Weight gain, body adiposity, food and caloric intake, blood pressure, and glucose tolerance were assessed. After 24 weeks, the rats were euthanized; the thoracic blood collected for serum insulin determination and the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance) (HOMA-IR) and homeostatic model assessment-ß cell (HOMA-ß) indices were calculated. Abdominal adipose tissues were removed, weighed, and fixed for immunohistochemical and morphometric studies. Isoflavones decreased weight gain and blood pressure without changing the food and caloric intake (P < .05). Isoflavones did not affect the weight of the abdominal adipose tissue depots (P < .05). Although they did not alter glucose tolerance, the isoflavones reduced HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß, serum insulin levels, in addition to reducing adipocytes' size (P < .05). The number of macrophages, lymphocytes, and crown-like structures in adipose tissue was lower in the group treated with isoflavones (P < .05). In conclusion, our data show that dietary soy isoflavones' supplementation prevents many of well-known deleterious combination of obesity and menopause on metabolism, such as body overweight, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hypertension, as well as insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation.

[Maximum expiratory pressure is a good predictor of the incidence of the frailty syndrome in elderly men]. / Pressão expiratória máxima é boa preditora de incidência da síndrome de fragilidade em homens idosos.

This article aims to investigate the association between maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) with the incidence of frailty syndrome (FS), in addition to testing the predictive ability of MIP and MEP to discriminate FS in elderly adults, according to sex. It is a longitudinal study with a five-year follow-up period (2014-2019), carried out with 104 elderly adults registered in the Family Health Strategy of a municipality in Bahia. The incidence of frailty syndrome was diagnosed according to criteria proposed by Fried et al., using data from 2019, after a five-year follow-up. The MIP and MEP were evaluated according to the recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Pulmonology and Phthisiology data in 2014 (baseline data). The total incidence of frailty syndrome was 16.3% (95%CI: 9.2-23.6), with 13.6% (95%CI: 4.56-22.55) in women and 20% (95%CI: 7.85-32.15) in men. The mean values of MIP and MEP were, respectively, 60,8±21,2 cmH2O and 76,7±23,1 cmH2O in women, and 79,5±27,0 cmH2O and 114,7±29,8 cmH2O in men. The frailty syndrome was associated with MEP in elderly adult men (adjusted RR: 0.96; 95%CI: 0.95-0.98; P-value: 0.002), indicating that the increase of 1cmH2O in MEP reduces by 4% the risk of developing the syndrome.

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar a associação entre a Pressão Inspiratória Máxima (PImáx) e Pressão Expiratória Máxima (PEmáx) com a incidência da síndrome de fragilidade (SF), além de testar a capacidade preditiva da PImáx e PEmáx em discriminar a SF em idosos, de acordo com o sexo. Estudo longitudinal com cinco anos de seguimento (2014-2019), realizado com 104 idosos cadastrados na Estratégia Saúde da Família de um município da Bahia. A incidência da síndrome de fragilidade foi diagnosticada de acordo os critérios propostos por Fried et al., utilizando dados de 2019, após cinco anos de seguimento. A PImáx e PEmáx foram avaliadas conforme recomendações da Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia em 2014 (linha de base). A incidência total da SF foi de 16,3% (IC95%: 9,2-23,6), sendo 13,6% (IC95%: 4,56-22,55) no sexo feminino e 20,0% (IC95%: 7,85-32,15) no sexo masculino. Os valores médios da PImáx e PEmáx foram, respectivamente, 60,8±21,2 cmH2O e 76,7±23,1 cmH2O no sexo feminino, e 79,5±27,0 cmH2Oe 114,7±29,8 cmH2O no sexo masculino. A SF esteve associada à PEmáx em idosos do sexo masculino (RR ajustado: 0,96; IC95%: 0,95-0,98; p-valor: 0,002), indicando que o aumento de 1 cmH2O da PEmáx reduz em 4% o risco de desenvolver a síndrome de fragilidade.

Are maximum respiratory pressures predictors of sarcopenia in the elderly?

OBJECTIVE: To compare maximum respiratory pressures and spirometric parameters among elderly individuals classified as having no sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia, and confirmed sarcopenia, and to test the ability of these variables to discriminate sarcopenia in a community-dwelling elderly population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 221 elderly (≥ 60 years of age) individuals of both sexes. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in accordance with the new consensus of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Maximum respiratory pressures and spirometry parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The prevalences of probable sarcopenia and confirmed sarcopenia were 20.4% and 4.1%, respectively. Regardless of the sex, those with confirmed sarcopenia had significantly lower MEP than those with no sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia, whereas only males with confirmed sarcopenia presented with significantly lower MIP than did the other individuals. There was an inverse association of MIP and MEP with sarcopenia, indicating that the decrease by 1 cmH2O in these parameters increases the chance of sarcopenia by 8% and 7%, respectively. Spirometric parameters were not associated with sarcopenia. Cutoff points for MIP and MEP, respectively, were ≤ 46 cmH2O and ≤ 50 cmH2O for elderly women, whereas they were ≤ 63 cmH2O and ≤ 92 cmH2O for elderly men, and both were identified as predictors of sarcopenia (area under the ROC curve > 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia was associated with lower maximum respiratory pressures, but not with spirometric parameters. Maximum respiratory pressures can be used as markers of sarcopenia in a community-dwelling elderly population regardless of the sex.

Interaction between cigarette smoke exposure and physical training on inflammatory and oxidative profile in mice muscle.

Regular physical training and cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) have opposite effects on physical performance, antioxidant, and inflammatory profile. However, the interaction between these events is not well studied. We aimed to investigate how regular physical training and CSE interact, and in what is the outcome of this interaction on the physical performance, skeletal muscle antioxidant defense and molecular profile response of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8/group): 1) Sedentary group (SED); 2) 4 weeks of control, followed by 4 weeks of CSE (SED + CSEG); 3) Physically active (PA) along 8 weeks (forced swim training, 5 times a week); 4) Physically active and exposed to the cigarette smoke (PA + CSEG), group submitted to forced swim training for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of concomitant training and CSE. Physical performance was evaluated before and after the experimental period (8 weeks), total peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, expression of genes encoding TNF-α, MCP-1, IL1ß, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-ß, HO-1 and the TNF-α/IL-10 ratio were determined from gastrocnemius muscle at the end of experimental period. The CSE attenuated the aerobic capacity adaptation (time to exhaustion in swimming forced test) promoted by physical training and inhibit the improvement in local muscle resistance (inverted screen test). The regular physical training enhanced the antioxidant defense, but the CSE abrogated this benefit. The CSE induced a harmful pro-inflammatory profile in skeletal muscle from sedentary animals whereas the regular physical training induced an opposite adaptation. Likewise, the CSE abolished the protective effect of physical training. Together, these results suggest a negative effect of CSE including, at least in part, the inhibition/attenuation of beneficial adaptations from regular physical training.