Influence of anti-sclerostin monoclonal antibody in the repair of post-extraction sockets of ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of an anti-sclerostin monoclonal antibody (Scl-Ab)-based osteoporosis drug on the post-extraction alveolar repair of ovariectomized rats. DESIGN: Fifteen female rats were randomly distributed into three groups: CTR (healthy animals), OST (osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy), and OST+Scl-Ab (osteoporosis induction followed by Scl-Ab treatment). Ovariectomy or sham surgery was performed 30 days before baseline, and Scl-Ab or a vehicle was administered accordingly in the groups. After seven days, all rats underwent the first lower molar extraction and were euthanized 15 days later. Computed microtomography, histological analysis, and collagen content measurement were performed on post-extraction sockets and intact mandibular and maxillary bone areas. RESULTS: Microtomographic analyses of the sockets and mandibles did not reveal significant differences between groups on bone morphometric parameters (p > 0.05), while maxillary bone analyses resulted in better maintenance of bone architecture in OST+Scl-Ab, compared to OST (p < 0.05). Descriptive histological analysis and polarization microscopy indicated better post-extraction socket repair characteristics and collagen content in OST+Scl-Ab compared to OST (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Scl-Ab-based medication did not accelerate alveolar bone formation but exhibited better post-extraction repair characteristics, and collagen content compared to ovariectomized animals only.

Wound-healing agents for palatal donor area: A network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) was to assess the efficacy of different wound-healing agents for palatal donor area management after soft tissue graft harvesting. METHODS: Electronic searches in six databases were conducted for publications up to October 2023. Studies with data from patients undergoing therapeutic approaches using agents for palatal healing after gingival graft harvesting were included. Data about postoperative pain, wound-healing and postoperative complications reported for each agent were extracted. Three different tools were used for the risk of bias within studies evaluation (Murad tool for case series and case report, RoB 2.0 tool for randomized studies and ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies). A Bayesian random effects NMA was conducted for postoperative pain levels and wound healing. RESULTS: Eighty-four publications were included in the systematic review (qualitative analysis), with 14 of these subjected to NMA (quantitative analysis). The summarized results from the qualitative and quantitative analysis showed that all wound-healing agents evaluated promoted better pain control and wound healing compared to spontaneous healing and hemostatic sponges alone. The NMA outcomes reveal that leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) was the most effective agent in reducing postoperative pain in all analyzed periods. Moreover, the L-PRF seems to accelerate wound healing and reduce postoperative complications compared to other agents. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the L-PRF was the most effective agent in reducing postoperative pain, accelerating wound healing and reducing postoperative complications after harvesting soft tissue grafts from the palatal area.

Evaluation of Different Approaches for Sinus Membrane Perforation Repair During Sinus Elevation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of different approaches to sinus membrane perforation (SMP) repair on bone formation, postoperative complications, and implant loss risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted for publications up to February 2021. All included articles reported SMPs submitted for repair. The proportion of implant loss in repaired SMP sites was calculated using a random-effects model meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 130 studies reporting SMP repair protocols were included in the systematic review, with 20 selected for meta-analysis. A total of 1,972 sinuses that were perforated and repaired during sinus elevation using different approaches were included in the qualitative analysis. The resorbable collagen membrane was the most commonly reported treatment. The presence of sinusitis was the most frequently described complication. Regarding bone parameters, the majority of studies described no differences between perforated and repaired sinuses and intact membranes. No difference in the implant loss proportion was observed between sites with repaired SMP compared to undetected SMP. The proportion of implant loss in repaired sinuses membrane sites (independent of the material or implant placement time) was 4% (95% CI: 2.0 to 8.0). In meta-regression analysis, no association was observed between the SMP size and implant loss proportion (P = .86). CONCLUSIONS: The materials and techniques indicated for SMP management seem to securely seal the maxillary sinus, without a negative effect on the ultimate survival of the implants placed in the affected sinuses.

Progress and promise of alternative animal and non-animal methods in biomedical research.

Cell culture and invertebrate animal models reflect a significant evolution in scientific research by providing reliable evidence on the physiopathology of diseases, screening for new drugs, and toxicological tests while reducing the need for mammals. In this review, we discuss the progress and promise of alternative animal and non-animal methods in biomedical research, with a special focus on drug toxicity.

Correlation between the event of the COVID-19 pandemic and symptoms of anxiety, depression and temporomandibular disorder in university students: cross-sectional study / Correlação entre o evento da pandemia de COVID-19 e sintomas de ansiedade, depressão e de disfunção temporomandibular em estudantes universitários: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to be a probable aggravator of psychological responses such as anxiety and depression. This study aimed to assess the correlation between symptoms of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and the existence of symptoms associated with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in a Brazilian university population. METHODS: This epidemiological, cross-sectional clinical study evaluated its variables of interest using the COVID-19 Fear Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D), Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Dysfunction (DC/TMD) and Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC) questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 373 participants (females = 273) with a mean age of 23.8±5.45 years were included in this study. In addition, 78.2% of participants with anxiety symptoms and 54.5% of participants with depression symptoms reported a high level of TMD-related parafunction (p<0.01). The presence of anxiety symptoms increased the odds of developing intense fear of COVID-19 by 14.9 times (p<0.001) and the odds of developing moderate fear of COVID-19 by 3.5 times (p<0.001). The presence of an intense fear of COVID-19 increased the chances of developing anxiety symptoms by 17.15 times (p<0.001), while the presence of a moderate fear increased these chances by 3.12 times (p<0.001). In addition, the presence of intense (p=0.01) or moderate (p=0.018) COVID-19 fears increased the odds of developing TMD-related pain symptoms by 2.47 and 1.84 times, respectively, in this population. CONCLUSION: The presence of painful TMD symptoms was possibly influenced by fear of COVID-19. This, in turn, was related to the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms reported by the target population of this study.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A pandemia de COVID-19 mostrou-se um provável agravante de respostas psicológicas como ansiedade e depressão. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a correlação entre sintomas de ansiedade e depressão durante o período da pandemia de COVID-19 e a existência de sintomas associados à disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) em uma população universitária brasileira. MÉTODOS: Este estudo clínico epidemiológico e transversal avaliou as suas variáveis de interesse por meio dos questionários Escala de Medo do COVID-19, Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HADS-A e HADS-D), Critérios Diagnósticos para Disfunção Temporomandibular (DC/DTM) e Checklist de Comportamentos Orais (OBC). RESULTADOS: Ao todo, 373 participantes (sexo feminino = 273), com média de idade de 23,8±5,45 anos foram incluídos neste estudo. Ademais, 78,2% dos participantes com sintomas de ansiedade e 54,5% dos participantes com sintomas de depressão reportaram alto nível de parafunção relacionada à DTM (p<0,01). A presença de sintomas de ansiedade aumentou em 14,9 vezes as chances de desenvolvimento de um quadro de medo intenso do COVID-19 (p<0,001) e de um quadro de 3,5 vezes nas chances de desenvolvimento de medo moderado do COVID-19 (p<0,001). A presença de um medo intenso do COVID-19 aumentou em 17,15 vezes as chances de desenvolvimento de sintomas de ansiedade (p<0,001), enquanto a presença de um medo moderado aumentou essas chances em 3,12 vezes (p<0,001). Ademais, a presença de medos intensos (p=0,01) ou moderados (p=0,018) do COVID-19 aumentou 2,47 e 1,84 vezes, respectivamente, as chances de desenvolvimento de sintomatologias dolorosas relacionadas à DTM nessa população. CONCLUSÃO: A presença dos sintomas dolorosos da DTM foi possivelmente influenciada pelo medo do COVID-19. Isso, por sua vez, esteve relacionado à presença de sintomas de ansiedade e de depressão, reportados pela população-alvo deste estudo.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This manuscript presents a systematic review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. A meta-analysis was made to compare the number of treated/operated HNC patients in the pre-COVID-19 era versus the COVID-19 era. This investigation was based on previous reports showing a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of new cases of cancer during the pandemic. Worsening in cancer prognosis would be expected as a result of the delayed treatments. METHOD AND MATERIALS: An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library databases. Relevant articles were selected based on specific inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 8,942 HNC patients were included. A higher prevalence in male (1,873) in comparison to female (1,695) was observed considering 3,568 patients. Regarding staging, the majority of cases were stage III to IV. The treatment type more frequently described was surgery. Positive diagnosis for COVID-19 in the pre-oncologic treatment was reported for 242 patients, and for post-oncologic treatment in 119 patients. Mortality by COVID-19 was reported for 27 HNC patients. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly smaller number of surgeries/oncologic treatments of HNC patients performed (2,666) in the COVID-19 era when compared to the pre-COVID-19 era (3,163) (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.00, P = .05). CONCLUSION: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HNC patients occurred mainly in the number of surgeries/oncologic treatments, showing a significantly smaller number of surgeries/oncologic treatments performed in the COVID-19 era rather than the pre-COVID-19 era.

Endocannabinoid system and periodontitis: mechanisms and therapeutic implications / Sistema endocanabinoide e periodontite: mecanismos e implicações terapêuticas

Introdução: A periodontite é um importante problema de saúde pública. Embora o princípio da terapia da periodontite esteja focado principalmente na remoção do biofilme dental e dos fatores associados, sua fisiopatologia registra diferentes eventos moleculares e inflamatórios relacionados ao sistema imunológico do hospedeiro, como a participação do sistema endocanabinoide. Objetivo: Esta revisão teve como objetivo explorar e elucidar os mecanismos e papéis do sistema endocanabinoide na fisiopatologia da periodontite e suas possibilidades para futuras terapias relacionadas. Material e método: Realizou-se uma busca eletrônica na plataforma PubMed por estudos envolvendo a ação do sistema endocanabinoide sobre a periodontite. Resultado: Dezenove estudos clínicos e pré-clínicos foram incluídos nesta revisão narrativa. Conclusão: Os receptores canabinoides tipo 1 e 2 são componentes integrais do sistema endocanabinoide e manifestam-se de várias formas nos tecidos periodontais. As ações e mecanismos através dos quais os receptores canabinoides são ativados em locais saudáveis ou inflamados continuam a ser o foco de investigações em curso. Além disso, os fitocanabinoides e canabinoides sintéticos apresentam potencial como tratamentos, com estudos pré-clínicos indicando benefícios na redução da inflamação e na facilitação da reparação dos tecidos.

Introduction: Periodontitis is a major public health problem. Although the principle of periodontitis therapy is mainly focused on removing dental biofilm and associated factors, its physiopathology enrolls different molecular and inflammatory events related to the host immune system, as the participation of the endocannabinoid system. Objective: This review aimed to explore and elucidate the mechanisms and roles of the endocannabinoid system on periodontitis physiopathology and its possibilities for future related therapies. Material and method: An electronic search was carried out on the PubMed platform for studies involving the action of the endocannabinoid system on periodontitis. Result: Nineteen clinical and preclinical studies were included in this narrative review. Conclusion: Cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 are integral components of the endocannabinoid system, manifesting in various forms in the periodontal tissues. The actions and mechanisms through which cannabinoid receptors are activated in healthy or inflamed sites remain the focus of ongoing investigations. Moreover, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids show therapeutic potential, with pre-clinical studies indicating benefits in reducing inflammation and facilitating tissue repair

Anxiety and depression associated with pain and discomfort of temporomandibular disorders / Ansiedade e depressão associados à dor e desconforto das desordens temporomandibulares

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiology of temporomandibular disorders includes local and systemic factors, with an emphasis on the occlusal condition, trauma, parafunctional activities, and emotional stress, deriving signs of anxiety and depression. These, in turn, are more likely to develop in the university population, due to the changes required when entering university and the demand for good performance. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between anxiety and depression symptoms and the existence of symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders in university students. METHODS: An epidemiological, randomized, and cross-sectional clinical study conducted with 100 university students. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders: Axis II and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires were applied. For the statistical analysis, the Chi-square tests and the Logistic regression model were used. RESULTS: The results of the present study consisted of responses from 79 women and 21 men, with a mean age of 19 years. The following associations were observed: general health status and depression; anxiety and pain in the face/ clicking; habit of grinding/clenching teeth when sleeping, and a "yes" answer to anxiety; discomfort with your teeth and depression; state of anguished/worried about all anxiety issues; depression and thoughts about death, difficulty in breathing and feeling discouraged about the future. CONCLUSION: From the data obtained, it was possible to conclude that the presence of symptoms related to anxiety and depression interfere with the painful symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in the addressed population.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A etiologia das disfunções temporomandibulares engloba fatores locais e sistêmicos, destacando-se a condição oclusal, trauma, atividades parafuncionais e estresse emocional, derivando-se os sinais de ansiedade e de depressão. Esses, por sua vez, apresentam maior propensão em se desenvolver na população universitária devido às mudanças exigidas ao ingressar na universidade e a cobrança por um bom desempenho. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a correlação de sintomas de ansiedade e de depressão e a existência de sintomas associados às disfunções temporomandibulares em estudantes universitários. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo clínico epidemiológico, aleatório e transversal, cuja amostra foi constituída por 100 estudantes universitários, aos quais foram aplicados os questionários Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders: Eixo II e o Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Para a análise estatística foram utilizados os testes Qui-quadrado e o Modelo de regressão logística. RESULTADOS: Os resultados do presente estudo foram constituídos pelas respostas de 79 mulheres e 21 homens, com média de idade de 19 anos. Foram observadas as seguintes associações: estado de saúde geral e depressão, ansiedade e dor na face/estalos, hábito de ranger/apertar os dentes ao dormir, e resposta "sim" para ansiedade, desconforto com seus dentes e depressão; estado de angustiado/preocupado com todas as questões de ansiedade; depressão e pensamentos sobre morte, dificuldade em respirar e sentir-se desanimado sobre o futuro. CONCLUSÃO: A partir dos dados obtidos foi possível concluir que a presença de sintomas relativos à ansiedade e depressão interferem nos sintomas dolorosos das disfunções temporomandibulares da população abordada.