Best practice for wound repair and regeneration use of cellular, acellular and matrix-like products (CAMPs).

There are currently over 80 biomaterials derived from autologous, allogeneic, synthetic and xenogeneic sources, or a combination of any or all these types of materials, available for soft-tissue coverage to effect wound closure. Often generically referred to as cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs), they are manufactured under various trade names and marketed for a variety of indications.

Evaluation of Sagittal and Vertical Changes in Maxillary Dental, Skeletal, and Soft Tissue Following Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the maxillary complex would be sagittally, vertically, or mutually displaced after the transverse maxillary correction by surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion and how the facial profile would be affected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 28 adult patients (mean age 25.8 [age range 19-39 years]; 50% women) with transverse maxillary deficiency greater than 7 mm who underwent the surgical rapid maxillary expansion. Cephalometric analysis (n  = 112), intra- and extra-oral registries, and radiographic records were taken before treatment (T1), right after the end of the expansion (T2), 4 months after the expansion (T3), and 10 months after the end of the expansion (T4). Dental and skeletal cephalometric measurements were evaluated at each time-point, whereas soft tissue cephalometric analyses were determined at 2 time points (T1 and T4). RESULTS: The results indicated that no sagittal, vertical, skeletal, or soft tissue variation was found after the surgical expansion. However, statistically significant dental changes (P  < 0.05) were observed in dental angles (1.NA/1.SN/1.PoOR/1.PP) throughout the different time-points. The authors found statistically relevant posterior inclination of the incisors from T2 to T3 based on multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion does not promote anterior and vertical displacement of the maxilla. Notwithstanding, the surgical intervention causes upper incisor palatal inclination.

Complications From Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion With HAAS and HYRAX Expanders.

The current study aimed at comparing the number and type of undesired outcomes during and after the maxillary expansion performed with HYRAX and HAAS expanders. A total of 90 patients (41 males and 49 females, 45.6% and 54.4%, respectively) aged 18 to 59 (mean age of 26.1; standard deviation [SD] = 7.4) underwent subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy and pterygomaxillary disjunction following surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) carried out using HAAS (n = 29; 48.3% male and 51.7% female; mean age = 27: SD = 7.7) and HYRAX (n = 61; 44.3% male and 55.7% female; mean age = 26; SD = 7.2) expanders. Post-SARME dento-gingival, radiographic, and clinical undesired outcomes were evaluated. A total of 16 (17.8%) patients experienced at least 1 undesired outcome-7 (7.8%) and 9 (10.0%) in HAAS and HYRAX group, respectively. The most common undesired outcomes were radiographic asymmetric expansion-2 (2.2%) and 3 (3.3%) in HAAS and HYRAX group, respectively-followed by pain during out-of-clinic expansion 4 (4.4%) in HAAS group only-dental darkening 5 (5.5%) in HYRAX group, only, requiring root canal treatment, and local infection-2 (2.2%), 1 in each HAAS and HYRAX groups. Excepting for complications arising from the acrylic stop plate in HAAS expander, the number and severity of complications observed in the current study did not differ due to the use of HAAS and HYRAX appliances to perform maxillary expansion. Hygiene issues do not rule out the use of HAAS. The wider maxillary expansion performed, the more frequent are the cases of asymmetric expansion.

One-Step Surgical Correction of Transverse and Anteroposterior Maxillary Deficiencies Using Wire Fixation. A New Approach and Long-Term Stability.

PURPOSE: To describe a retrospective assessment of the long-term stability of a new approach using wire fixation for 1-step surgical correction of transverse and anteroposterior maxillary deficiencies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors implemented a case series of 5 adult patients (3 men and 2 women; mean age, 31.4 yr) needing maxillary advancement less than 5 mm and had transverse maxillary deficiency greater than 7 mm who underwent total Le Fort I and median palatal suture osteotomies and had their maxilla advanced and stabilized bilaterally with stainless steel wire. Transverse expansion was performed using a Hyrax expander, which also was used for retention for 4 months after completion of the planned expansion. Follow-up included clinical examination and studies of lateral radiographs and plaster models preoperatively (T0), soon after completion of maxillary expansion (T1), 4 months after T1 (T2), 12 months after T1 (T3), and an average of 4.8 years (minimum, 4 yr 1 month; maximum, 5 yr; standard deviation, 0.3 yr) after T1 (T4). RESULTS: Maxillary expansions measured at the most cervical points on the palatal face of the upper first premolars and of the upper first molars at T2 were 7.8 and 7.4 mm on average, respectively. In all cases, surgery promoted maxillary anteroposterior advancement. Anteroposterior maxillary skeletal measurements of the angle formed by the sella, nasion, and A point; the distance from the vertical reference line to the A point (A-VRL); the distance of the VRL to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ); and the distance from the perpendicular line of the nasion (Nperp) to the CEJ showed a substantially increase at T1 (P < .05) and stability at T2, T3, and T4; however, A-VRL presented a significant relapse at T4 compared with T1 (P = .037) and T2 (P = .027). The soft tissues expanded at the same rate as the skeletal tissues. The anteroposterior soft tissue measurements Nperp to superior lip and Nperp to the A' point showed a substantial increase at T2 (P < .05) and stability at T3 and T4. The measurements associated with anteroposterior correction were stable at T4. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique provides long-term stability of maxillary expansion and anteroposterior repositioning with only 1 surgical intervention. However, considering the small number of patients, a multicenter study is needed before a definitive conclusion can be reached.

The enigma of the mental foramen as it relates to plastic surgery.

The mental foramen position changes because of individual characteristics, and the knowledge of its location is paramount in a number of surgical procedures. This study's goal was to assess its position in relation to dentition and its symmetry in a Brazilian population. One hundred ninety-one dried jaws were divided in 3 groups according to the presence or absence of dentition and bone resorption in the foramen region. Standardized measurements of the distance between the foramen and anatomical references were made to establish its position and symmetry. The majority of the specimens studied belonged to white (74%) male (72%) individuals. The foramen most frequent position, using the teeth as reference, was between the premolars for both sexes (males, 41%; females, 60.3%). Most of the mandibles (56%) did not present symmetry between the right and left sides. Accessory foramina were found in 13.6% of jaws. The most frequent position of the mental foramen was between the premolars (position III of Tebo and Telford [Anat Rec 1950;107:61-66]), and they were predominantly asymmetric. The group with no teeth in the mental foramen area showed a reduction of the distance between the alveolar margin of the jaw and the mental foramen.

Suction drains, quilting sutures, and fibrin sealant in the prevention of seroma formation in abdominoplasty: which is the best strategy?

BACKGROUND: Seroma is the most common complication in abdominoplasty and abdominal ultrasound is one of the best noninvasive methods for diagnosing seroma formation. The aim of this study was to compare the use of suction drains, quilting sutures, and fibrin sealant in abdominoplasty to determine the best strategy to prevent seroma formation. METHODS: Forty-three female patients, aged 20-66 years, nonsmokers, with Nahas' type III deformities, and body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.0 to 24.9 kg/m(2), underwent abdominoplasty between March and October 2008 in a public hospital setting. The patients were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups: DN group (n = 15), abdominoplasty with suction drains alone; QS group (n = 13), abdominoplasty with quilting suture between the subcutaneous tissue of the flap and musculoaponeurotic layer of the anterior abdominal wall; and FS group (n = 15), abdominoplasty with fibrin sealant. All patients underwent ultrasound examination on postoperative days 15 and 30 for detection of abdominal fluid collections. RESULTS: The groups were homogeneous for age and BMI. There was a significant reduction in seroma formation between postoperative days 15 and 30 in the three groups (DN group, P = 0.0003; QS group, P = 0.0011; and FS group, P = 0.0003). Seroma formation was significantly higher in the FS group (H = 6.04, P < 0.05) compared with the DN and QS groups on postoperative day 15. CONCLUSION: Seroma formation was significantly lower in the DN and QS groups compared with the FS group on postoperative day 15.

Tooth tissue engineering: optimal dental stem cell harvest based on tooth development.

Our long-term objective is to devise reliable methods to generate biological replacement teeth exhibiting the physical properties and functions of naturally formed human teeth. Previously, we demonstrated the successful use of tissue engineering approaches to generate small, bioengineered tooth crowns from harvested pig and rat postnatal dental stem cells (DSCs). To facilitate characterizations of human DSCs, we have developed a novel radiographic staging system to accurately correlate human third molar tooth developmental stage with anticipated harvested DSC yield. Our results demonstrated that DSC yields were higher in less developed teeth (Stages 1 and 2), and lower in more developed teeth (Stages 3, 4, and 5). The greatest cell yields and colony-forming units (CFUs) capability was obtained from Stages 1 and 2 tooth dental pulp. We conclude that radiographic developmental staging can be used to accurately assess the utility of harvested human teeth for future dental tissue engineering applications.

Cephalometric measures correlate with polysomnography parameters in individuals with midface deficiency.

To determine the association between cephalometric measurements and polysomnographic parameters in Brazilian patients with midface deficiency. This was a primary, clinical, observational, longitudinal, retrospective, analytical, and single-center study. Forty-eight patients with midface deficiency were divided into two groups as follows: those who underwent surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARME) and those who received maxillary advancement (MA). Pre- and post-operative cephalometric and polysomnography measurements were obtained. Pearson's correlation was used to verify the presence of any significant associations between PSG scores and cephalometric measurements. Associations between BMI (Body Mass Index) and AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index) as well as arousals were observed. In the SARME group, associations between AHI and SNA, UAS and MP-H, arousals and SNA, and Co-A and MP-H were noted. Associations between AHI and Co-A, PoOr-A and MP-H, arousals and UAS, and between minimum saturation of O2 and SNA, SNB, and Co-A were observed in the MA group. This study demonstrates the alterations in the middle third of the face that were related to sleep disturbance. In addition, it shows the associations between the polysomnographic parameters and the cephalometric representations corresponding to the analyzed deformities and transverse or anteroposterior maxillary deficiencies.

Patents on hospital medical and dental equipment (EMHO). Question and answer tool.

PURPOSE: To create a question and answer tool on patents on EMHO. METHODS: Was used the Thinking Design methodology divided into four phases: Discovery, Definition, Development and Delivery. Discovery Phase: Desk research was carried out in: SciELO, Pubmed, LILACS, Google and Google Scholar. Once the target audience was selected, the interviews were conducted. Definition Phase: the interviewees' difficulties were mapped, on an Excel spreadsheet. Development Phase: a brainstorming was conducted with the public interviewed. Delivery Phase: the prototype, validation and final elaboration of the tool were made. RESULTS: Discovery Phase: 10 inventors were identified and the interviews were carried out. Definition Phase: 80% of the interviewees determined lack of information as one of the problems. The main content was defined as: the patent process, from the beginning of the idea to the deposit (70%), search for precedence (40%) and informing partners (30%). Development Phase: with the brainstorming, the tool type was defined as an interactive site. Delivery Phase: a prototype with content framework and an interactive video was presented for validation. After approval, the interactive website was developed, which was made available to the public. CONCLUSION: A question and answer tool on patents in EMHO was developed.

Prediction of transverse maxillary dimension using orthodontic models.

The main objective of this study was to quantify the transverse maxillary dimensions using orthodontic cast models of individuals with natural normal occlusion. Sixty-eight pairs of orthodontic models were evaluated with the respective posteroanterior radiographies of white adults (38 women and 30 men; mean age, 17 years and 5 months). The models were placed in Class I molar occlusion, and on each pair, 4 points were marked on the alveolar buccal ridge (2 on the premolar region and 2 on the molar), determining the upper and lower transverse interpremolar and intermolar dimensions. The variables analyzed in the 3 measurements, obtained from the cephalometric radiographies and the cast models, showed no statistical differences. The upper intermolar distance was 57.20 +/- 2.60 mm; the lower intermolar, 55.16 +/- 2.40 mm; the upper interpremolar, 42.17 +/- 2.19 mm, and the lower interpremolar; 39.67 +/- 1.77 mm. On the posteroanterior cephalograms, the maxillary width was 65.97 +/- 3.42 mm and the mandibular width was 87.92 +/- 4.60 mm. There was intraresearcher and interresearcher correlation. There was no sexual dimorphism. The method proposed in this study can predict the transverse maxillary dimension, applying the formula ym = 8.62 + 0.88xm (ym = expected upper intermolar distance, xm = lower intermolar distance) for the molar region, and ypm = 4.87 + 0.94xpm (ypm = expected upper interpremolar distance, xpm = lower interpremolar distance) for the premolar region.

Self-esteem and depression in patients presenting angle class III malocclusion submitted for orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess self-esteem and depression in patients submitted for orthognathic surgery. METHODS: Assessment was realized on 29 patients, male and female, aged 17 to 46, presenting Angle Class III malocclusion and referred for surgical treatment, during the preoperative (orthodontic preparation) and postoperative (six-month postoperative) periods. Either maxillomandibular or isolated procedures were performed. Two previously validated standardized measurement instruments for this area were used: the UNIFESP-EPM Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Self-Report Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis (Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance and the Bonferroni test) verified possible interactions between the pre and postoperative periods, genders and types of surgery. Significance was determined at 5%. RESULTS: Females showed improved self-esteem, presenting lower mean values after surgery (8.9 to 6.3). Regarding depression, a significant reduction in the number of depressive symptoms (p=0.002) occurred for female patients. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients presented improved self-esteem and diminished depressive symptoms due to surgical intervention; whereas male patients showed no alteration in self-esteem and depression with surgical intervention.

The use of a biocompatible cement in endodontic surgery. A randomized clinical trial 1.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical applicability of Pozzolana Biologic Silva cement (PBS(r)) in endodontic surgery. METHODS: Persistent apical periodontitis was diagnosed in 30 teeth of 12 patients by cone-beam computed tomography (CT). All patients had 2 or 4 affected teeth and underwent endodontic surgery with root-end filling. Patients with 2 affected teeth had one tooth (control) treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-Angelus(r)) as a root-end filling material, and the other tooth treated with PBS (experiment). When the patient had four affected teeth, two of them were treated with MTA and two with PBS. Six months after surgery, all patients were assessed by CT scan. Between-group comparisons of measurements were performed using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Periradicular tissue regeneration was observed in all cases. Significant within-group differences in long axes of the lesion were found in the bucco-palatal direction (PBS group, p=0.0012; MTA group, p=0.024) and coronal-apical direction (PBS group, p=0.0007; MTA group, p=0.0015) between pre- and postoperative measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Pozzolana Biologic Silva cement can be used in the treatment of persistent periradicular lesions. The clinical use of PBS as a root-end filling material may be an alternative to MTA. PBS has additives, which provide enhanced strength.

Adipose mesenchymal stem cells associated with xenograft in a guided bone regeneration model: a histomorphometric study in rabbit calvaria.

PURPOSE: In spite of their osteoconductive potential, the biomaterials used as substitutes for an autologous graft do not show osteoinductive or osteogenic potential. This study evaluated the association of adult mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue with xenogenic bone graft in bone regeneration in rabbit calvaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells were harvested from adipose tissue from 12 animals. These cells, combined with hydroxyapatite, were implanted in 12-mm bilateral bone defects created in the calvaria of six rabbits (test group [TG]), whereas only hydroxyapatite was implanted in the defects created in another group of six animals (control group [CG]). One grafted side of each animal was covered by a collagen membrane. After 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed, and the region of the bone defects was removed and evaluated using histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The TG showed higher amounts (P < .05) of vital mineralized tissue and nonvital mineralized tissue, 28.24% ± 6.17% and 27.79% ± 2.72%, respectively, compared with the CG, 13.06% ± 5.24% and 13.52% ± 3.00%, respectively. In TG, no difference was observed (P < .05) in the amount of mineralized tissue between the side that was covered by the membrane vs the side without membrane coverage. On the other hand, a statistically significant difference (P < .05) was observed in the CG with regard to the amount of mineralized tissue between the sides with and without membrane coverage. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that the association of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue with a xenogenic bone graft was capable of promoting better bone regeneration compared with the use of a xenograft alone. Use of a membrane did not produce an increase in the regenerative potential for the TG, in contrast to the CG.

Tooth Tissue Engineering: The Importance of Blood Products as a Supplement in Tissue Culture Medium for Human Pulp Dental Stem Cells.

One of the goals in using cells for tissue engineering (TE) and cell therapy consists of optimizing the medium for cell culture. The present study compares three different blood product supplements for improved cell proliferation and protection against DNA damage in cultured human dental pulp stem cells for tooth TE applications. Human cells from dental pulp were first characterized as adult stem cells (ectomesenchymal mixed origin) by flow cytometry. Next, four different cell culture conditions were tested: I, supplement-free; II, supplemented with fetal bovine serum; III, allogeneic human serum; and IV, autologous human serum. Cultured cells were then characterized for cell proliferation, mineralized nodule formation, and colony-forming units (CFU) capability. After 28 days in culture, the comet assay was performed to assess possible damage in cellular DNA. Our results revealed that Protocol IV achieved higher cell proliferation than Protocol I (p = 0.0112). Protocols II and III resulted in higher cell proliferation than Protocol I, but no statistical differences were found relative to Protocol IV. The comet assay revealed less cell damage in cells cultured using Protocol IV as compared to Protocols II and III. The damage percentage observed on Protocol II was significantly higher than all other protocols. CFUs capability was highest using Protocol IV (p = 0.0018) and III, respectively, and the highest degree of mineralization was observed using Protocol IV as compared to Protocols II and III. Protocol IV resulted in significantly improved cell proliferation, and no cell damage was observed. These results demonstrate that human blood product supplements can be used as feasible supplements for culturing adult human dental stem cells.

Portland cement versus MTA as a root-end filling material. A pilot study.

PURPOSE: To assess periradicular lesions clinically and by computed tomography (CT) after endodontic surgery using either Portland cement or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root-end filling material. METHODS: Three patients diagnosed with periradicular lesions by cone-beam CT underwent endodontic surgery with root-end filling. Patient A was treated with MTA as the root-end filling material, patient B was treated with Portland cement and patient C had two teeth treated, one with MTA and the other with Portland cement. Six months after surgery, the patients were assessed clinically and by CT scan and the obtained results were compared. RESULTS: Periradicular tissue regeneration was observed in all cases, with no significant differences in bone formation when comparing the use of MTA and Portland cement as root-end filling materials. CONCLUSION: Both mineral trioxide aggregate and Portland cement were successful in the treatment of periradicular lesions.

Biocompatibility of the bacterial cellulose hydrogel in subcutaneous tissue of rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biocompatibility and local sensibility reaction to bacterial cellulose hydrogel (0.8%) implanted in subcutaneous tissue of rabbits. METHODS: Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups: T1, 7 days, T2, 21 days, and T3, 84 days. The new material was implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of the ear; on the scalp over the periosteum; and on the outer and inner surfaces of the thighs, in the aponeurosis of the muscle. At 7, 21 and 84 postoperative days, the material was collected for histological study. The clinical signs, inflammatory response, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis were variables used for analysis of the biocompatibility and biological reactivity to BCH. Analyses were performed with an AXIO(r) Imager. The statistical tests were performed using the GraphPad Prism 5.0 program(r) RESULTS: The intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, considering the different cell types (PMN, LMN and GC), was statistically significant, with group T1 different from groups T2 and T3 (p = 0.0124 and p <0.0001, respectively) and T2 different from the T3 group (p = 0.0007). Fibrogenesis grade 1 was the most prevalent in groups T1 (55.4%) and T2 (44.6%). The formation of neovascularization in the group was identified in 84.4% of samples. CONCLUSION: Bacterial cellulose hydrogel (0.8%) is biocompatible, integrating with the subcutaneous tissue of rabbits and inducing tissue remodeling.

Patents on hospital medical and dental equipment (EMHO). Question and answer tool

Abstract Purpose: To create a question and answer tool on patents on EMHO. Methods: Was used the Thinking Design methodology divided into four phases: Discovery, Definition, Development and Delivery. Discovery Phase: Desk research was carried out in: SciELO, Pubmed, LILACS, Google and Google Scholar. Once the target audience was selected, the interviews were conducted. Definition Phase: the interviewees' difficulties were mapped, on an Excel spreadsheet. Development Phase: a brainstorming was conducted with the public interviewed. Delivery Phase: the prototype, validation and final elaboration of the tool were made. Results: Discovery Phase: 10 inventors were identified and the interviews were carried out. Definition Phase: 80% of the interviewees determined lack of information as one of the problems. The main content was defined as: the patent process, from the beginning of the idea to the deposit (70%), search for precedence (40%) and informing partners (30%). Development Phase: with the brainstorming, the tool type was defined as an interactive site. Delivery Phase: a prototype with content framework and an interactive video was presented for validation. After approval, the interactive website was developed, which was made available to the public. Conclusion: A question and answer tool on patents in EMHO was developed.

Novas tecnologias e inovações em cirurgia mamária / New technologies and innovations in breast surgery

Introdução: A cirurgia de mama, especialmente as associadas aos implantes de silicone, teve uma crescente popularização, tornando-se a cirurgia plástica mais realizada no mundo. Junto com esta proliferação, observa-se um aumento da preocupação com a segurança dos implantes mamários de silicone, pelas intercorrências relacionadas. Objetivo: Revisar métodos existentes para minimizar as complicações relacionadas com implante mamário de silicone, bem como as tecnologias existentes e tendências tecnológicas para implantes mamários de silicone. Métodos: Foi realizada revisão de artigos científicos relacionados com novas tecnologias e tendências para redução das complicações relacionadas com implantes mamários de silicone, bem como as patentes e fabricantes de implante de silicone mamário. Resultados: Identificamos inicialmente 78 referências, sendo reduzido para 40 para publicação, todos com linhas de pesquisas que buscam melhores resultados e redução das complicações relacionadas com implantes de silicone, seja esta cirurgia com objetivo estético ou reconstrutivo. Conclusão: A busca por um implante mamário que reduza as possíveis e frequentes complicações, principalmente a formação do biofilme, processos infecciosos e resposta imune, é o foco da maioria das pesquisas encontradas. Com o mesmo objetivo, porém surgindo mais recentemente como alternativas, existem as pesquisas para o uso de matriz dérmica acelular e a lipoenxertia, com boas expectativas.

Introduction: Breast surgery with silicone implants is gaining popularity and has become the most performed plastic surgery worldwide. However, there is increasing concern about the safety of silicone breast implants due to associated complications. Objective: To review existing technologies, technological trends, and existing methods to minimize complications related to silicone breast implants. Methods: We conducted a literature review of articles describing new technologies and trends to reduce complications related to silicone breast implants, along with information on patents and manufacturers of silicone breast implants. Results: We initially identified 78 articles, out of which 40 were shortlisted for publication . All articles had a common aim of obtaining better results and reducing complications related to silicone implants, either in aesthetic or reconstructive surgeries. Conclusion: The search for a breast implant that reduces possible and frequent complications, especially biofilm formation, infectious processes, and abnormal immune response, was the focus of most articles studied. Acellular dermal matrix and fat grafting have been reported in the literature as promising alternatives.

Effects of glucose and glutamine concentrations in human dental pulp stem cells viability. An approach for cell transplantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate microscopic behavior and viability of dental pulp stem cells under glucose and glutamine deprivation. METHODS: Human tooth tissues were minced in isolated pieces and cultured until the desired cellular proliferation for experimental phases. Cells were cultured under variations of glucose and glutamine in both serum presence and absence, and then those cells were evaluated according to number and viability by MTT assay. The confocal microscopy analyzed cytoskeleton, nucleus, and mitochondria integrity. RESULTS: A low concentration of glucose favored cellular viability and microscopic behavior; the presence of glutamine in culture medium was favorable only when associated with glucose. The cellular biological potential in culture could be preserved in serum absence if nutritional requirements are adequate. CONCLUSION: Cell microscopic behavior and viability have demonstrated better patterns on serum-free low glucose culture medium with glutamine deprivation.

Masticatory efficiency and bite force in individuals with normal occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate and correlate masticatory efficiency (ME) and maximum bite force (MBF) in adult individuals of both genders with normal occlusion. DESIGN: The study was conducted in a university research centre. ME and MBF were evaluated in 55 adults (27 men and 28 women) with normal occlusion. All subjects chewed four fuchsin capsules (two on the right and two on the left molar region) for 15 chewing cycles with a 3-min interval between capsules. The concentration of fuchsin in the capsules was determined by spectrophotometry and stratified by gender and chewing side. Bite force (BF) was measured three times on both the left and right molars; the highest value of the three measurements on each side was taken as the MBF. RESULTS: ME was higher in women (right side, 1.17±016µg/mL; left side, 1.20±0.15µg/mL) than in men (right side, 0.92±0.24µg/mL; left side, 0.89±0.24µg/mL). The MBF was higher in men (right side, 632±174N; left side, 627±170N) compared with women (right side, 427±140N; left side, 420±112N). No significant differences in chewing efficiency and BF were found between sides for both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Women showed the highest ME, while men had the highest MBF, with no correlation between these two parameters among genders.