Internal Consistency of the Voice Handicap Index in Individuals With Dysphonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the internal consistency of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) for evaluating the vocal handicap of individuals with dysphonia. METHODS: This is a systematic review. Studies with a cross-sectional design and including a population of individuals with dysphonia, which validated the VHI and analyzed its internal consistency, were included. The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed, including Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. A manual search was performed in gray literature through the Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses. In addition, the list of references of studies selected in the electronic search was mapped, and an expert in the area was consulted. Two reviewers blindly and independently conducted the selection, data extraction, and analysis of the risk of bias, the certainty of the evidence, and good psychometric measures. A meta-analysis was performed with a random effects model using the JAMOVI 2.3.2 software. RESULTS: Forty-nine studies were analyzed. In risk of bias assessment, the studies were classified as having inadequate structural validity and very good internal consistency. The analysis of good psychometric properties indicated indeterminate structural validity and insufficient internal consistency. The overall value of Cronbach's alpha was estimated at 0.94, thus suggesting a very good internal consistency. However, there was high heterogeneity. The level of certainty of the evidence was too low for internal consistency. CONCLUSION: The VHI proved to be a consistent and reliable patient-reported outcome measure to evaluate voice handicap in individuals with dysphonia; however, studies are heterogeneous, and the certainty of evidence is very low.

Interaction of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Induced Tooth Movement in Rats

Abstract This study evaluated the interaction between tooth movement and two anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), Deposteron® and Nebido®. One hundred Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control (C) n=30, Nebido experimental (N) n=35 and Deposteron experimental (D) n=35. The control group was subdivided into 6 subgroups: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14. The experimental groups were subdivided into 7 subgroups: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14, which corresponded to the day of animal's euthanasia after applying orthodontic force. Orthodontic devices were used to induce tooth movement using 50 cN of reciprocal force between the maxillary right first molar and the maxillary incisors. After euthanasia, the tissues were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Osteoclasts, Howship's lacunae and blood vessels were quantified. Groups N and D showed acceleration in the reorganization of the periodontal ligament compared to group C. The peak of the histological events occurred in group C on day 5 and in groups N and D on day 3 after installation of the orthodontic device. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of osteoclasts (p<0.05) between groups N3 and C3, and between groups N3 and D3. Supra-physiological doses of the AAS Nebido® and Deposteron® altered the number of osteoclasts, Howship's lacunae and blood vessels, accelerating the reorganization of the periodontal ligament, resulting in accelerated biological effects from the induced tooth movement in rats.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a interação do movimento dentário entre dois esteróides anabólicos androgênicos (EAA), Deposteron® and Nebido®. Cem ratos Wistar foram divididos em 3 grupos: controle (C) n=30, Nebido experimental (N) n=35 e Deposteron experimental (D) n=35. O grupo controle foi subdivido em 6 subgrupos: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 e 14. Os grupos experimentais foram subdivididos em 7 subgrupos: 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 e 14, correspondendo ao dia da eutanásia do animal após aplicada a força ortodôntica. Um dispositivo ortodôntico foi utilizado para induzir a movimentação dentária com força recíproca de 50 cN entre o primeiro molar superior direito e os incisivos superiores. Após a eutanásia, o tecido foi processado e corado com hematoxilina e eosina (HE) e fosfatase ácida tartarato-resistente (TRAP). Osteoclastos, lacunas de Howship e vasos sanguíneos foram quantificados. Os grupos N e D demonstraram aceleração na reorganização do ligamento periodontal comparado ao grupo C. O pico dos eventos histológicos ocorreu no grupo C no dia 5 e nos grupos N e D no dia 3, após a instalação do dispositivo ortodôntico. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante no número de osteoclastos (p<0,05) entre os grupos N3 e C3 e entre os grupos N3 e D3. Doses supra-fisiológicas de EAA Nebido® and Deposteron® alteraram o número de osteoclastos, lacunas de Howship e vasos sanguíneos, acelerando a reorganização do ligamento periodontal, resultando na aceleração dos efeitos biológicos na movimentação dentária em ratos.

Virulence modulation of Streptococcus mutans biofilms by metal ions released from orthodontic appliances.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of metal ions commonly shed from orthodontic appliances on the virulence of Streptococcus mutans ATCC®25175™ biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biofilms were grown in the presence of Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), Co(2+), and a metal ion pool at concentrations similar to those released in saliva of orthodontic patients for 72 hours. Once mature, biofilms were treated for up to 12 hours with 5% glucose. RESULTS: Ions interfered with the growth of S mutans by reducing its biomass (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+)), raising its rates of sugar metabolism (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+)), and raising its secretion of lactate (Ni(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+), pool). CONCLUSION: The laboratory data presented here point to the possibility of virulence increase of S mutans by metal ions commonly released during orthodontic therapy.

Influence of natural bovine enamel roughness on bond strength after etching.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the longitudinal and transverse roughness parameters of the enamel surface of bovine teeth and evaluate the influence of these parameters on bond strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety bovine incisors were used. The surface roughness of enamel was measured with a profilometer. For each tooth, five readings were taken in the longitudinal plane and five were taken in the transverse plane of the long axis of the tooth in an area equal to the size of the bracket base. The metal brackets were bonded with Transbond XT, and bond strength was evaluated in a universal test machine. RESULTS: There was a statistical correlation (P < .01) between the longitudinal and transverse roughness measurements. There was no correlation between roughness measurements (longitudinal and transverse) and bond strength (P > .05), nor was there a correlation between total roughness (longitudinal Ra and transverse Ra) and bond strength. The Student's t-test showed that there was a statistically significant difference (P < .05) between longitudinal and transverse roughness. CONCLUSION: The transverse roughness is greater than the longitudinal roughness, there is a strong correlation between longitudinal and transverse roughness, and there is no correlation between enamel roughness and bond strength.