Influence of voxel size on cone beam computed tomography artifacts arising from the exomass.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of voxel size on artifacts arising from the exomass in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). STUDY DESIGN: An imaging phantom was scanned using 2 CBCT units, each adjusted to 2 voxel sizes: 0.2 and 0.3 mm. From 1 to 3 metal inserts of titanium, cobalt-chromium, or amalgam were placed in the exomass and additional CBCT scans were acquired. Mean voxel gray values were obtained from 16 homogeneous areas of the phantom and averaged, and the standard deviation was calculated to obtain voxel gray value variability. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance, Tukey, and Dunnett tests (α =.05). RESULTS: Overall, mean voxel gray values and voxel gray value variability did not differ significantly between CBCT scans obtained with voxel sizes of 0.2 and 0.3 mm for either CBCT model tested (P > .05). Despite some exceptions in which significant differences were observed between the 2 voxel sizes (P < .05), the mean voxel gray values and voxel gray value variability resulting from different metal compositions and, in most situations, for different numbers of metal inserts in the exomass were not affected. CONCLUSION: Voxel size has little influence on exomass-related CBCT artifacts.

Women's sense of coherence and its association with early weaning / Senso de coerência da mulher e sua associação com o desmame precoce

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between sense of coherence levels and early weaning. Method: This study had a quantitative nature and a cross-sectional design. Factors associated with early weaning (interruption of maternal breastfeeding) were investigated in a sample of 425 women older than 18 years, mothers of children up to 36 months of age who were not twins, with no sensory or motor deficiencies, without distinction of ethnicity or social class. The chi-squared test, with a significance level of 5%, was used to evaluate the association between the dependent variable (early weaning) and the independent variables (socioeconomic, demographic factors and sense of coherence level). Variables with p ≤ 0.20 were tested by the multiple logistic regression model. Odds ratio and the respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated. All statistical tests were performed using the SAS 9.2 software. Results: The results showed that mothers with greater sense of coherence were 1.82 times more likely to maintain breastfeeding for longer periods (p = 0.02). Conclusions: The identification of mothers with low sense of coherence allows the early intervention of health professionals, contributing to decrease the rates of early weaning in the population.

Resumo Objetivo: Investigar se há associação entre níveis de senso de coerência e desmame precoce. Método: O presente estudo tem natureza quantitativa e delineamento transversal. Foram investigados fatores associados ao desmame precoce (interrupção da oferta do leite materno à criança) em uma amostra de 425 mulheres com idade superior a 18 anos, sem distinção de etnia ou classe social, mães de crianças com até 36 meses, que não fossem gêmeos ou apresentassem deficiências sensoriais ou motoras. Foi feito o teste de qui-quadrado, com nível de significância de 5%, para testar a associação entre a variável dependente (desmame precoce) e as variáveis independentes (socioeconômicas, demográficas e nível de senso de coerência). As variáveis que apresentaram p ≤ 0,20 foram testadas no modelo de regressão logística múltipla. Os odds ratio e os respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança foram estimados. Todos os testes estatísticos foram feitos com o programa SAS 9.2. Resultados: Os resultados apontaram que mães com maior senso de coerência possuem 1,82 vez mais chance de manter o aleitamento por mais tempo (p = 0,02). Conclusões: A identificação de mães com baixo senso de coerência permite a intervenção precoce dos profissionais de saúde, contribui para diminuir as taxas de desmame precoce na população.

Development of the portuguese version of the instrument for assessing hygiene - HI23 / Desenvolvimento da versão em português do instrumento para avaliação em higiene- HI23

Hand hygiene is part of standard precautions and it has been emphasized that education of this practice depends on the individual's experience in general hygiene. The Hygiene Inventory (HI-23) assess the domains General Hygiene, in the fields of Hands, Personal, Household and Food. Aim: To make the transcultural adaptation of the HI-23 scale for Portuguese­Brazil and to investigate and describe the hygiene behavior according to the HI-23 scale among dental students. Material and Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation process consisted in five steps: two translations, two back translations, review committee, pre-test with a population sample, and reproducibility and reliability of the instrument adapted. For the intra-examiner reproducibility it was applied kappa statistics. The statistical Cronbach's alpha verified the reliability of the HI-23 scale adapted to Portuguese. The adapted instrument was applied to 292 students of Dentistry from 1st to 5th year of graduation from a Faculty of Dentistry. Results: There was good reproducibility (0.43≥κ≥0.81) and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.75) for the questions of the questionnaire. The adapted instrument applied among academics, showed that students have good and adequate hygiene pattern for most questions, except for the hygiene in the preparation of food and utensils used to prepare them, in the time spent washing hands, and cleanliness regarding the exchange of clothing (pants/skirt). Conclusion: The transcultural adaptation of the instrument for the Brazilian version was successfully obtained. The instrument can be safely applied to measure the profile of hygiene among professional of the health area.

A higiene das mãos é parte das precauções padrão e tem sido enfatizado que a educação dessa prática depende da experiência individual em higiene geral. O Inventario em Higiene (HI-23) avalia os domínios Higiene Geral, Mãos, Pessoal, Doméstica e na Alimentação. Objetivo: Realizar a adaptação transcultural da escala HI-23 para o português-Brasil e investigar e descrever o comportamento em higiene segundo o HI-23, entre acadêmicos de Odontologia. Material e Métodos: O processo de adaptação transcultural consistiu em cinco etapas: duas traduções; duas retrotraduções, comitê de revisão, pré-teste com uma amostra da população alvo, reprodutibilidade e confiabilidade do instrumento adaptado. Para a reprodutibilidade intraexaminador foi aplicada a estatística kappa. A estatística alfa de Cronbach verificou a confiabilidade da escala HI-23 adaptada para o português. O instrumento adaptado foi aplicado a 292 estudantes de Odontologia do 1º ao 5º ano do curso de graduação de uma Faculdade de Odontologia. Resultados: Houve boa reprodutibilidade (0,43≥k≥0,81) e boa consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach=0,75) para as perguntas do questionário. O instrumento adaptado aplicado entre os acadêmicos, mostrou que os estudantes possuem um padrão de higiene bom e adequado para a maioria das questões, com exceção da higiene no preparo de alimentos e utensílios utilizados para prepará-los, no tempo gasto para lavagem das mãos e no asseio quanto a troca de vestimenta (calça/saia). Conclusão: A adaptação do instrumento para a versão brasileira foi obtida com sucesso. O instrumento pode ser aplicado com segurança para medir o perfil em higiene entre profissionais da área da saúde.

Characterization of highly osteoblast/cementoblast cell clones from a CD105-enriched periodontal ligament progenitor cell population.

BACKGROUND: It is known that periodontal ligament (PDL) harbors a heterogeneous progenitor cell population at different stages of lineage commitment. However, characterization of PDL stem cells committed to osteoblast/cementoblast (O/C) differentiation remains to be elucidated. The present study is carried out to isolate single cell-derived, cluster of differentiation (CD)105-positive PDL clones and to characterize the clones that present high potential to differentiate toward O/C phenotype in vitro. METHODS: Isolation of single cell-derived colonies (clones) from a CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cell population was performed by the ring-cloning technique. Cell clones were evaluated for their O/C differentiation potential, metabolic activity, and expression of STRO-1 protein. Additionally, the clones that showed potential to O/C differentiation were characterized by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for expression of runt-related transcriptor factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase, CD105, and CD166 during osteogenic induction. RESULTS: Six PDL-CD105(+) clones were obtained, three being highly O/C clones (C-O) and three others that did not have the ability to produce mineralized matrix in vitro (C-F). The C-O group showed lower metabolic activity compared with the C-F group, and both cell groups were positively immunostained for STRO-1. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated an increased expression of transcripts for RUNX2 and CD166 during the maturation of C-O cells toward O/C phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence that PDL-CD105(+) purified progenitor cells comprise a heterogeneous cell population that presents a cell subset with high O/C potential and, further, that surface antigen CD166 is modulated during the O/C maturation of this cell subset.

Photodynamic therapy during supportive periodontal care: clinical, microbiologic, immunoinflammatory, and patient-centered performance in a split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as monotherapy during supportive periodontal therapy. METHODS: A split-mouth, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with chronic periodontitis (N = 22) presenting at least three residual pockets (probing depth [PD] ≥5 mm with bleeding on probing [BOP]). The selected sites randomly received the following: 1) PDT; 2) photosensitizer (PS); or 3) scaling and root planing (SRP). At baseline and 3 and 6 months, clinical, microbiologic (real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses), cytokine pattern (multiplexed bead immunoassay), and patient-centered (regarding morbidity) evaluations were performed. RESULTS: All therapies promoted similar improvements in clinical parameters throughout the study (P <0.05), except that BOP was not reduced in the PS protocol (P >0.05). Lower levels of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were observed in the PDT and SRP protocols at 3 months when compared with the PS protocol (P <0.05). An inferior frequency detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis was observed in the PDT protocol at 3 and 6 months and in the SRP protocol at 6 months from baseline (P <0.05). In addition, PDT protocol presented inferior frequency of P. gingivalis at 3 months when compared with the other therapies (P <0.05). Only patients in the PDT protocol exhibited augmented levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-4 and reduced proinflammatory IL-1ß and IL-6 throughout the study (P <0.05). Intergroup analyses showed reduced IL-10 and increased interferon-γ and IL-1ß levels in the PS protocol when compared with the other therapies during follow-ups (P <0.05). No differences in morbidity were observed between the therapies (P >0.05), although the need for anesthesia was higher in SRP-treated sites (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: PDT as an exclusive therapy may be considered a non-invasive alternative for treating residual pockets, offering advantages in the modulation of cytokines.

A double-blind comparison of 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 0.5% levobupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine for the inferior alveolar nerve block.

This double-blind cross-over study compared the anesthetic success and onset and duration of lip and pulpal anesthesia of 0.5% bupivacaine and levobupivacaine solutions, both with 1:200,000 epinephrine, when administered for inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomly anesthetized using one of the solutions. The inferior canine, second premolar, and molar were tested with electric stimulation. The pulpal anesthetic success rates for bupivacaine and levobupivacaine were 80% and 76.66%, respectively, for molars, 76.66% (both solutions) for premolars, and 70% (both solutions) for canines. At least 250 minutes of pulpal anesthesia was achieved. There were no significant differences between the solutions considering the measured parameters (P > .05). Because of the similar anesthetic behavior of the 2 solutions in this study and the low toxicity related in the literature for levobupivacaine, there is justification for replacing bupivacaine with levobupivacaine for inferior alveolar nerve local anesthesia.

La importancia pericial del estudio comparativo histomorfológico del hueso humano y de otros géneros / Forensic importance of the comparative histomorphometric study of the human bone and bones from other genders

Es un hecho notable que la identificación de huesos o fragmentos de éstos contribuye sobremanera en el esclarecimiento de problemas judiciales. Cuando no se dispone del esqueleto o de huesos íntegros, el análisis de características histomorfológicas óseas se torna un factor decisivo en la elucidación de ciertos casos de identificación. El propósito del presente estudio fue ampliar o buscar nuevas posibilidades en la identificación de fragmentos óseos de seres humanos y de otros 19 mamíferos. Así, analizamos los sistemas de Havers, los canales de Havers, los osteocitos y los canalículos de los mismos, del hombre, anta, aracambé, buey, cabra, perro montés, perro, capivara, carnero, cateto, caballo, conejo, cutia, gato, mono-clavo, jaguar, puerco espín, cerdo, oso hormiguero y venado. Fueron analizados cortes histológicos por desgaste del tejido óseo en sentido longitudinal y transversal y analizados con microscopio de luz. Los resultados demuestran con claridad y precisión que el análisis histomorfológico de las estructuras citadas posibilita la identificación y diferenciación de los géneros estudiados o excluyen la posibilidad de que fragmentos óseos examinados pertenezcan al género Homo sapiens