Epidemiological study of intraosseous lesions of the stomatognathic or maxillomandibular complex diagnosed by a Reference Centre in Brazil from 2006-2017.

This epidemiological study was designed to find out the incidence and factors associated with the occurrence of intraosseous lesions diagnosed at a Reference Centre in Brazil. We included all patients diagnosed with intraosseous lesions (cyst, tumour, bone-associated lesion, and periapical disease) during the period 2006-2017, and analysed the association between some sociodemographic and clinical variables and the types of lesion. There was a total of 290 intraosseous lesions, the most common being odontogenic cysts. There was a significant association between age and odontogenic tumours (p=0.001). In relation to the histopathological diagnosis, root cysts were the most common (n=57), followed by dentigerous cysts (n=26). The lesions studied were seen most often in women between the second and fourth decades of life, odontogenic cysts being the most common type found. We know of few publications of similar epidemiological work, either in Brazil or in the rest of the world, so we suggest that more such studies are made.

Smart forage selection could significantly improve soil health in the tropics.

The use of tropical grasslands to graze livestock is of high economic importance. Declining grassland soil health leads to reduced sustainability of livestock systems. There are high levels of phenotypic diversity amongst tropical forage grasses. We hypothesise that this variation could lead to significant differences in soil health and that selection of forage cultivars to improve soil health could improve the sustainability of livestock production. We measured and compared key soil health metrics (soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration and sugar / alkane composition, aggregate stability, friability, litter decomposition rates, microbial community composition) under four tropical forage varieties (Brachiaria hybrid cv Mulato (BhMulato), B. humidicola cv Tully (CIAT679; Bh679), B. humidicola cv CIAT16888 (Bh16888), and Panicum maximum CIAT 6962 (Pmax)) and a bare soil control, there was a significant difference in soil aggregate stability, friability and SOC concentration between the forage varieties with soil under Bh679 and Bh16888 tending to have greater aggregate stability, friability and SOC concentrations compared to the soil under BhMulato and Pmax. We identified significant spatial variation in soils under BhMulato and Pmax due to their tussock forming growth habit; when compared to soil from adjacent to the tussocks, soil from the gaps between tussocks had significantly reduced aggregate stability under both species, significantly reduced friability under Pmax and significantly reduced SOC under BhMulato. We found limited impact of forage variety on soil microbial community composition, litter decomposition rates or soil alkane and sugar concentrations.

Quality of life related to oral health and its impact in adults.

Oral health is part of general health, and is recognized as an essential component of quality of life (QoL). For years, oral health was determined solely by the clinic, which did not allow an evaluation of the true impact of oral diseases on the patients' daily lives. The development of instruments for assessing QoL related to oral health has occurred due to the urgency of determining the effects of changes in the oral cavity of individuals. This study aims, through a bibliographical survey, to describe issues involving the relationship between QoL and oral health focusing on methodological and conceptual aspects as well as considering how oral health of adult individuals affects their QoL in a general way. Research in this area has developed the concept of "quality of life related to oral health", which comprises four categories: functional factors, psychological factors, social factors and existence of discomfort or pain. The negative impacts that poor oral health of the population have on their QoL makes this issue a relevant problem for public health. Although most oral problems do not represent an immediate risk of death, they are responsible for decreasing the QoL of individuals as they prolong states of pain and suffering, and cause functional, aesthetic, nutritional and psychological problems. Actions focused on health education with emphasis on self-perception, self-protection and self-care should be explored. Programs based on equity seeking to reduce inequalities and their negative effects on people's QoL should also be explored.

AVE 0991, a non-peptide mimic of angiotensin-(1-7) effects, attenuates pulmonary remodelling in a model of chronic asthma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: AVE 0991 (AVE) is a non-peptide compound, mimic of the angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) actions in many tissues and pathophysiological states. Here, we have investigated the effect of AVE on pulmonary remodelling in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic allergic lung inflammation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We used BALB/c mice (6-8 weeks old) and induced chronic allergic lung inflammation by OVA sensitization (20 µg·mouse(-1) , i.p., four times, 14 days apart) and OVA challenge (1%, nebulised during 30 min, three times per·week, for 4 weeks). Control and AVE groups were given saline i.p and challenged with saline. AVE treatment (1 mg·kg(-1) ·per day, s.c.) or saline (100 µL·kg(-1) ·per day, s.c.) was given during the challenge period. Mice were anaesthetized 72 h after the last challenge and blood and lungs collected. In some animals, primary bronchi were isolated to test contractile responses. Cytokines were evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung homogenates. KEY RESULTS: Treatment with AVE of OVA sensitised and challenged mice attenuated the altered contractile response to carbachol in bronchial rings and reversed the increased airway wall and pulmonary vasculature thickness and right ventricular hypertrophy. Furthermore, AVE reduced IL-5 and increased IL-10 levels in the BAL, accompanied by decreased Ang II levels in lungs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: AVE treatment prevented pulmonary remodelling, inflammation and right ventricular hypertrophy in OVA mice, suggesting that Ang-(1-7) receptor agonists are a new possibility for the treatment of pulmonary remodelling induced by chronic asthma.

Reducing subjectivity in the evaluation of pre-clinical dental preparations for fixed prosthodontics using the Kavo PrepAssistant.

The evaluation of pre-clinical technical achievement in fixed prosthodontics cannot be objective when using visual examination of dental preparations. This is, however, still the main method used in dental schools. The present study introduces a new method, based on a mathematical formula, to reduce the problem. The idea emerged when using the Kavo PrepAssistant system (software version 1.05). This system is a 3D-scanner with software that can quantify geometrical differences between an instructor and student dental preparation in model teeth. Therefore, a mathematical formula was created, integrating selected clinically relevant geometric characteristics of dental preparations measured by the system. In this new formula, 70% of the evaluation parameters were computer analysed, whilst 30% were visually evaluated. This new method was compared with the traditional visual evaluation system during a pre-clinical practical examination, with the participation of 25 students. Using both methods to evaluate the 25 preparations, results showed similar grading for both methods (K-S test = 0.16; P < 0.05). Although this method does not provide overall clinical evaluation of student performance these results suggest that it can be helpful accessing technical achievement. In this method, the student has the guarantee that 70% of his/her grade results from an objective computer evaluation, with the possibility to visualise the mistakes with the software. It also reduces problems related to the calibration between different examiners. The Kavo PrepAssistant is a powerful tool in pre-clinical teaching, but has some drawbacks. It has to be developed towards the actual needs of pre-clinical departments, in order to achieve its full potential, as described in this study.

[Endemic goiter in public health]. / Bócio endémico em saúde pública.

This work focuses on the medical condition known as endemic goiter considering its epidemiological aspects and its interest in Public Health. After delimiting some basic concepts, one will refer to the implications that the shortage of the daily ingestion of iodine, which is the main etiology of the affection in question, brings to the normal physical, mental and social development of the human being. One will discuss the concepts of risk group and of epidemiological risk factors, outline the guiding lines of prevention, namely, health education and point out certain vicissitudes of prevention programs in the field of endemic goiter. Finally, some brief notes on epidemiological aspects of endemic goiter, in Portugal, will be presented.

[Endemic goiter epidemiological study of prevalence in Oleiros]. / Estudo epidemiológico de prevalência do bócio endémico em Oleiros.

This research was carried out in the county of Oleiros, which integrates the only defined endemic goiter zone in Portugal, since 1969. We intend to characterize, from the epidemiological point of view, the prevalence of the endemic goiter by the observation of all students (N=699) and by the determination of the iodine urinary excretion in a sample of them (n=43). The prevalence value was of 27.5% (192 in 699), corresponding to 21.6% and to 5.9%, respectively for the total cases of degree 1A and degrees 1B and 2. No cases of degree 3 were found. Prevalence was of 36.4% (116 in 319) for females, and 20% (76 in 380) for males (proportion of about 2:1). The iodine urinary excretions presented 20% of the values out of the normal limits, and about 10% of them below minimum. These results allow us to classify the region as one of low to moderate endemic severity. However, in order to eradicate, among us, the endemic goiter, it is essential to proceed with the prophylactic program.

Transverse testicular ectopia corrected by a modified Ombrédanne operation.

We report a case of transverse testicular ectopia. The patient previously had undergone an operation for a left inguinal hernia and the right testis was absent. Each testis was placed in its respective side but the right vas deferens traversed the left inguinal canal (a modified Ombrédanne operation).