[False beliefs about vaccines]. / Falsas creencias sobre las vacunas.

Vaccines are an essential tool for the prevention of infectious diseases. However, false ideas and rumours with no scientific foundation about their possible negative effects may dissuade people from being vaccinated, with the consequent risks for the health of the population. The objective of this article is to evaluate the origin and the arguments of some of the most frequent mistaken ideas and rumours about the possible adverse effects of vaccines. Some clearly established adverse effects are presented, as well as false beliefs about various vaccines and potential harm to health. Vaccines, like any drug, can cause adverse effects, but the possible adverse effects of vaccination programs are clearly lower than their individual (vaccinated) and collective benefits (those vaccinated and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons). The possible adverse effects attributable to vaccines should be detected by powerful and well-structured pharmacovigilance systems.

Effect of low level laser therapy on local bone resorption during orthodontic treatment: a randomized controlled trial / Efecto del laser terapéutico en la reabsorción osea local durante tratamientos de ortodoncia: un ensayo clínico aleatoriamente controlado

The aim of this study was to assess whether the application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) during the first stage of orthodontic treatment has an effect on local bone resorption and is detectable at the systemic level by measuring deoxypyridinoline levels (Pyrilinks) in urine. This was a randomized (1:1), double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group trial. 28 adult patients who were going to start orthodontic treatment were randomly divided into the control group (n: 13) and the experimental group (n: 15), the latter of which received LLLT. All of the subjects underwent testing of urine samples: the first one on the day before the beginning of orthodontic treatment (T0), and the second one 5 days after bracket placement to measure Pyrilinks values (Dpd/Cr) in urine. Group differences were evaluated with Student's paired t-test. At the beginning of the study, the Pyrilinks were in the normal range for 53.57 % of the patients, and 46.43 % had elevated values according to the normal ranges. Only taking into account the normal values at (T0), the average Pyrilinks for control group (T0) were 5.75± 1.20 nM/mM, (T1): 6.02±3.00 nM/mM. For experimental group, (T0) was 5.71± 0.72, and it was 6.63± 0.73 in (T1).There were no significant differences in the Pyrilinks changes. (p= 0.75). In the experimental group levels raised statistically significant (p = 0.009). LLLT on patients starting orthodontic treatment with normal Pyrilinks levels have a statistically significant increment on their levels 5 days post irradiation.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar si la aplicación de la terapia láser de bajo nivel (TLBN) durante la primera etapa del tratamiento ortodóncico tiene un efecto sobre la resorción ósea local y es detectable a nivel sistémico midiendo los niveles de desoxipiridinolina en la orina. Se trató de un ensayo aleatorizado (1:1), doble ciego, controlado de forma activa y paralelo. 28 pacientes adultos que iban a iniciar el tratamiento de ortodoncia se dividieron al azar en el grupo control (n: 13) y el grupo experimental (n: 15), el último de los cuales recibió TLBN. Todos los sujetos fueron sometidos a pruebas de muestras de orina: la primera en el día anterior al inicio del tratamiento ortodóncico (T0) y la segunda 5 días después de la colocación del bracket para medir los valores de Pyrilinks (Dpd / Cr) en la orina. Las diferencias grupales se evaluaron con la prueba t de Student pareada. Al inicio del estudio, los Pyrilinks estaban en el rango normal para 53,57 % de los pacientes, y 46,43 % tenían valores elevados según los rangos normales. Sólo teniendo en cuenta los valores normales en (T0), los Pyrilinks medios para el grupo de control (T0) fueron 5,75 ± 1,20 nM / mM, (T1): 6,02 ± 3,00 nM / mM. Para el grupo experimental, (T0) fue de 5,71 ± 0,72, y fue de 6,63 ± 0,73 en (T1). No hubo diferencias significativas en los cambios de Pyrilinks. (P = 0,75). En el grupo experimental los niveles aumentaron estadísticamente (p = 0,009). LLLT en los pacientes que comienzan el tratamiento ortodóncico con niveles normales de Pyrilinks tienen un incremento estadísticamente significativo en sus niveles 5 días después de la irradiación.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on pain following activation of orthodontic final archwires: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of GaAlAs laser light to reduce pain induced by post-adjustment orthodontic final archwire, compared with a placebo control group, and also to evaluate if there are differences in pain gradient when conventional brackets or self-ligating brackets are used for orthodontic treatment. BACKGROUND DATA: Previous reports indicate that laser therapy is a safe and efficient alternative to alleviate pain caused in the initial stages of treatment, but there are no studies about its efficacy during the last stages of orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The initial sample was 60 orthodontic patients from a private practice, treated by straight wire technique, 30 of them with mini brackets Equilibrium(®) (Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany) and 30 with self-ligation In-Ovation C(®) (GAC/Dentsply, Tokyo, Japan) slot 0.022 inch brackets. The archwires used in the final stage of orthodontic treatment were stainless steel 0.019×0.025 inch, slot 0.022 inch in both groups. In a design of divided mouth, the dental arches were randomly assigned to receive one dental arch irradiation with 830 nm 100mW therapeutic laser (Photon Lase II), for 22 sec (2.2 J, 80 J/cm(2)) along the vestibular surface and 22 sec (2.2 J, 80 J/cm(2)) along the palatal surface of the root in the randomly selected arch. The opposite dental arch received placebo treatment, with the laser light off. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) after 2, 6, and 24 h, and 2, 3, and 7 days of application. RESULTS: The time course of pain showed the same tendency in both groups, reaching a peak 24 h after the archwire activation. The application of laser therapy reduced pain for any period of time up to 7 days (p<0.00001) and for any kind of bracket. CONCLUSIONS: Low intensity laser application reduces pain induced by archwires used during the final stage of orthodontic treatment, without any interference regarding the kind of bracket, as reported by patients.

Effectiveness of a mass hepatitis A vaccination program in preadolescents.

A program of mass hepatitis A+B vaccination in preadolescents in schools was begun in the Catalonia in the last quarter of 1998. This study investigated the impact of the program by comparing the incidence of hepatitis A in vaccinated and unvaccinated cohort. The greatest reduction of the incidence rate of hepatitis A was observed in the 10-14 years age group, from 10.3 per 100000 persons-year in the period 1996-1998 to 1.8 per 100000 persons-year in the period 1999-2001. The global incidence decreased from 6.2 to 2.6 per 100000 persons-year. After analysis of cases occurring in the vaccinated and non vaccinated cohort, the effectiveness of the vaccination program was estimated at 97.0% (95% CI: 78.6-99.6).