LGBTQ+ related curricular activities in Brazilian Dental Schools: Do institutional and/or deans' profiles matter?

PURPOSE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether the characteristics of dental schools and the profiles of their deans were associated with curricular activities related to LGBTQ+ in Brazilian dental schools. METHODS: A survey was mailed to the deans of all Brazilian dental schools for the purpose of assessing the development of pedagogical activities focused on the topic of oral health of the LGBTQ+ population, and the characteristics of the institutions and profiles of their deans. The data collected were analyzed with hierarchical multiple logistic regression models in order to analyze associations between variables of interest. RESULTS: Of the deans approached, 156 (response rate of approximately 32.4%) completed and returned the survey. The majority of dental schools (67.3%) of the sample were private institutions and 39% of them developed pedagogical activities directed toward the LGBTQ+. This percentage was much lower in public institutions (18%). The results of the hierarchical multiple logistic regression demonstrated that deans who attributed high relevance to the theme "oral health of the LGBTQ+ population" were more likely to develop pedagogical activities directed toward the LGBTQ+ population (odds ratio = 4.74; 95% confidence interval: 1.65-13.48), than those who attributed low or little importance to this topic (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A low percentage of activities aimed at the LGBTQ+ population was observed in the sample of Brazilian dental schools. Deans must be aware of the importance of the topic and be motivated to implement pedagogical activities for this population.

Correlation Between Single-Pulse and Pulse-Train Stimulation During Neuromonitoring of Thoracic Pedicle Screws in Scoliosis Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The use of thoracic pedicle screws (TPSs) during scoliosis surgery entails an inherent risk of neurological deficit. Triggered electromyography (t-EMG) is an accurate neuromonitoring test for detection of malpositioned TPSs. However, single-pulse (SP) t-EMG stimulation has shown variable capability for detecting medial pedicle breaches, while pulse-train (PT) t-EMG could be more accurate. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between SP t-EMG and PT t-EMG. METHODS: This retrospective study included 20 patients who underwent scoliosis correction with 294 TPSs placed. A total of 588 tests with both SP t-EMG and PT t-EMG were performed, analyzed, and compared. The results of both t-EMG techniques were stratified into 3 different groups according to threshold obtained: group 1 (≤6 mA), group 2 (6.1-11.9 mA), and group 3 (12 mA). A generalized linear model was used to analyze the correlation between the methods. RESULTS: SP t-EMG elicited response in 5 screws (1.7%) at ≤6 mA, 28 screws (9.5%) at 6.1-11.9 mA, and 261 screws (88.8%) at 12 mA. PT t-EMG elicited response in 16 screws (5.4%) at ≤6 mA, 30 screws (10.2%) at 6.1-11.9mA, and 248 screws (84.4%) at 12 mA. There is a strong positive and significant association between SP t-EMG and PT t-EMG with a decrease ratio of 2% (95% confidence interval 1% to 3%). CONCLUSIONS: SP t-EMG and PT t-EMG stimulation techniques had similar results when the stimuli were applied to TPSs, but PT t-EMG may have better efficacy in low-threshold group.

Damage diagram of blast test results for determining reinforced concrete slab response for varying scaled distance, concrete strength and reinforcement ratio.

Dynamic loads continue to draw the interest of structural engineers. The sources of these loads can be earthquakes, blast effects or transportation loads from railroads or highways. Especially for blast loads, terrorist attacks or military actions have caused many loses of lives and damages in several buildings. The verification of structural behavior is necessary to help designers to plan structures that support these loads and reduce damages. Although computer simulation with, specific software, have helped these designers, full-scale tests can provide valuable information about the real response of the structure. This paper presents damage diagram from ten full-scale field tests using approximately 2.70 kg of non-confined plastic bonded explosive against reinforced concrete slabs with different scaled distance, reinforcement ratio and concrete strength. The damage diagram is expected to be a help tool for designers to understand the effects of blast loads on slabs.