The importance of cyclooxigenase in dentistry: a narrative review

Aim: Cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX) catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and thromboxanes during pain and inflammation conditions. These enzymes have also been linked to several other conditions and diseases, and hence, in dentistry, it is crucial to identify the processes that increase the levels of these mediators. This paper aims to describe the significance of COX in dental practice through a narrative review. Methods: Articles relating to COX upregulation published in English and Spanish over the last 51 years in databases such as EBSCO, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Web of Science; were analyzed. Results: A total of 115 articles demonstrating the relationship between COX upregulation and multiple conditions and diseases of importance in prosthodontics, periodontics, oral pathology, orthodontics, and endodontics were included. Conclusions: COX upregulation is related to inflammatory and malignant diseases in oral tissues, such as periodontitis, pulpitis, and oral cancer, nevertheless, its expression is advantageous in other fields of study such as orthodontics. Additionally, is well documented that dental materials provoke an undesired increase in COX expression, which could be a significant factor that directly affects pulpal health

Development of an Online Training to Engage Home Visitors as Research Stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Home visiting (HV) has demonstrated positive impacts across family well-being domains. Home visitors receive training in HV model requirements as well as to develop knowledge and various skills. Despite growth in HV research, we are not aware of existing training or required competencies in research design, research methods, or dissemination of research findings for home visitors. OBJECTIVES: Via ongoing collaboration with an Advisory Board of key HV stakeholders, we developed a three-module online training that incorporated examples from HV research and practice to address the gap in research training for home visitors and to promote home visitors' engagement as research stakeholders. METHODS: A convenience sample of home visitors (n = 176) was surveyed on research knowledge, research self-efficacy, and priority training topics, with results used to create a beta version of the training completed by six home visitors. Home visitor feedback on the beta version, coupled with Advisory Board recommendations, led to creation of the final online training. Forty home visitors viewed the final training and completed pre- and post-training surveys to assess changes in research knowledge and self-efficacy. Twelve home visitors also completed a semi-structured qualitative interview. Home visitors demonstrated improvements in research knowledge and self-efficacy and found the training easy to understand and useful. CONCLUSIONS: Guidance from stakeholders led to development of an online training that was effective in improving home visitors' research knowledge and self-efficacy. This training can be used by HV researchers and practitioners as a tool to promote home visitors' active engagement as stakeholders in research.

Plasmatic L-lactate in pet rabbits: association with morbidity and mortality at 14 days.

BACKGROUND: The clinical relevance of plasmatic L-lactate concentration (PLLC) is unknown in rabbits. Due to an entirely different metabolism of lactic acid, PLLC in rabbits can reach much higher concentrations than in other species. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish a reference interval (95% RI) for venous PLLC in pet rabbits and to assess its diagnostic and prognostic significance in ill pet rabbits. METHODS: Plasmatic L-lactate concentration was determined by an enzymatic colorimetric method. In the first study, healthy rabbits (n = 140) were the control group. The ill rabbits group (n = 405) included the deceased (n = 108) and the survivors (n = 266), depending on the outcome at day 14. In a second study, variation in the PLLC was determined in 25 boarding (control-serial), 99 hospitalized (deceased-serial [n = 27], and survivors-serial [n = 72]) rabbits sampled at 0, 12, 24 and 48 hours. RESULTS: The 95% RI for PLLC in controls was 2.1-15.2 mmol/L. On-arrival PLLC in ill rabbits was not statistically different from those in the control group, but was significantly lower in deceased compared to survivors or controls. The range of PLLC variation differed significantly between control-serial, deceased-serial, and survivors-serial groups. A better prognosis was associated with an increase of 3.3 mmol/L PLLC within 48 hours after arrival. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the available information in other species, morbidity and mortality is associated with sustained low PLLC in pet rabbits, while a good prognosis is associated with an increase in PLLC. Monitoring PLLC in hospitalized rabbits is advisable.

Case report: ovarian teratoma in a Mediterranean tortoise.

A 61-year-old female Mediterranean tortoise (Testudo hermannii) presented after 1 week of tetraparesis. Coelomic ultrasonography revealed free fluid and an ovarian mass with multiple follicles. Blood analysis suggested renal failure. After initial medical treatment for kidney disease, the tortoise seemed to improve clinically, but the animal died 2 months later. Necropsy and histopathology revealed an ovarian teratoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a teratoma in tortoise gonadal tissue.

Absentismo y su relación con satisfacción laboral de enfermería en una unidad médica de segundo nivel / Absenteeism at work and its relation with nursing job satisfaction in a second level medical facility

Introducción: El absentismo laboral es un indicador en la calidad de atención; existen factores asociados a su alta incidencia. La satisfacción laboral es un factor importante que condiciona la actitud del individuo respecto a su trabajo. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre absentismo y satisfacción laboral en el personal de enfermería. Metodología: Estudio observacional, transversal. Realizado en un periodo de dos meses en un hospital de segundo nivel. El absentismo se definió como el número de días que el trabajador se ausenta de su área de trabajo debido a faltas injustificadas o incapacidad. La evaluación de la satisfacción laboral incluyó siete factores: (I)condiciones físicas (II)-beneficios laborales (III)-políticas administrativas (IV)-relaciones sociales (V)-desarrollo personal (VI)-desempeño de tareas (VII)-relación con la autoridad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 205 enfermeras. El 62% del personal se encontró con moderada satisfacción y sólo 3% con baja satisfacción. No se encontró correlación ni asociación entre satisfacción laboral e incapacidades (rs0.34 y p=0.23) y absentismo (0.18 y p=0.18). Los factores que favorecieron la satisfacción laboral fueron; II (OR 9.27 p=0.03); IV (OR 5.22 p=0.09); VII (OR 4.35 p=0.05); VI (OR 4.29 p=0.14). Los asociados con baja satisfacción fueron; I (OR 1.32 p=0.68); III (OR 1.18 p=0.81); y V (OR 0.95 p=095). No hubo asociación en ninguna de las variables sociodemográficas. Conclusión: No se encontró asociación entre absentismo y satisfacción laboral. La satisfacción laboral en el personal de enfermería fue moderada.

Introduction: Absenteeism at work is an indicator of service quality; there are factors associated to its high incidence. Job satisfaction is an important factor that influences individual attitude regarding employee's work. Objective: To determine the relation between absenteeism at work and job satisfaction in nursing staff. Methodology: Observational, transversal study, performed within a 2months-period in a second level medical facility. Absenteeism at work was define as a number of days when a worker is absent from work, due to either unjustified absents or disability. Evaluation of job satisfaction included 7 factors: I) Physical conditions, II) Working benefits, III) Administrative policies, IV) Social relations, V) Personal development, VI) Tasks performance, VII) Relation with authority. Results: 205 nurses were included. 62% of staff was found with moderate satisfaction and only 3% with low satisfaction. Neither association nor correlation were found between job satisfaction and disability (OR 0.34 and p=0.23), and absenteeism (0.18 and p=0.18). Factors that favored job satisfaction were: II (OR 9.27 p=0.03); IV (OR 5.22 p=0.09); VII (OR 4.35 p=0.14); those factors associated to low job satisfaction were: I (OR 1.32 p=0.68); III (OR 1.18 p=0.81); V (OR 0.95 p=095). There was not association among sociodemographic variables. Conclusions: There was not association between absenteeism and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction in nursing staff was moderate.