Effectiveness of fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

This review assessed the effectiveness of fluconazole as antifungal prophylaxis on the incidence of oral fungal diseases in patients undergoing cancer treatment. The secondary outcomes evaluated were the adverse effects, discontinuation of cancer therapy due to oral fungal infection, mortality by a fungal infection, and the mean duration of antifungal prophylaxis. Twelve databases and records were searched. The RoB 2 and ROBINS I tools were used to assess the risk of bias. The relative risk (RR), risk difference, and standard mean difference (SMD) were applied with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The certainty of the evidence was determined by GRADE. Twenty-four studies were included in this systematic review. In randomized controlled trials pooling, fluconazole was a protective factor for the primary outcome (RR = 0.30; CI: 0.16, 0.55; p < 0.01, vs placebo). Compared to other antifungals, fluconazole was only more effective than the subgroup of amphotericin B and nystatin (alone or in combination) (RR = 0.19; CI: 0.09, 0.43; p < 0.01). Fluconazole was also a protective factor in non-randomized trials pooling (RR = 0.19; CI: 0.05, 0.78; p = 0.02, vs untreated). The results showed no significant differences for the secondary outcomes. The certainty of the evidence was low and very low. In conclusion, prophylactic antifungals are necessary during cancer treatment, and fluconazole was shown to be more effective in reducing oral fungal diseases only compared with the subgroup assessing amphotericin B and nystatin, administered alone or in combination.

Survey based assessment of diagnosis through periapical radiograph and CBCT and treatment of root resorption with Brazilian and American dentists and endodontists.

BACKGROUND: This study assesses and compares the knowledge level of endodontists (ENDs) and general dental practitioners (GPs) from Brazil and United States of America (USA) in the diagnosis and treatment of internal and external inflammatory root resorptions through periapical radiographic (PA) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based survey was presented to the volunteers containing questions regarding personal and professional profile, as well as three clinical cases of internal and external inflammatory root resorption. A series of multiple-choice questions about the diagnosis and treatment options were surveyed. The data collected was analysed by the Chi-square test with Yates correction with a significance level of 5 %. RESULTS: Most answers were considered adequate when all three questions about the diagnosis and all two questions relating to the treatment were answered accurately. A total of 374 dentists answered the survey (n: 229 from Brazil vs. 145 from USA) being 41% END and 59% GP. END presented higher level of knowledge than GP regarding to diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory root resorptions both in Brazil and USA (p<0.05); USA presented higher level of adequate responses than Brazil (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: END achieved a level of knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of root resorption superior to the GP. Comparing the results obtained in both countries, it was observed that the USA had a higher correct response rate than Brazil. Key words:Internal root resorption, external root resorption, management, diagnosis, treatment.

Inequalities in Oral Health among Older Brazilians: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a National Survey

Objective: To investigate the association of tooth loss and periodontal disease with socioeconomic and demographic factors, the need for and use of health services, and the effect of oral health on the daily lives of older Brazilians. Material and Methods: We abstracted data from a nation-wide, representative, cross-sectional survey of 7619 Brazilians aged between 65 to 74 years. Poisson regression models were created to investigate associations between oral diseases and income, education level, gender, ethnicity, region of residence, and use of dental services; statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: The mean age of the 7619 subjects studied was 69 years (95% Confidence Interval, 68.9­69.1); 61.9% were women. Regarding ethnicity, 46.95% were White, 38.90% were Brown, 11.54% were Black and 2.53% belonged to other ethnic groups. Bleeding on probing or dental calculus was present in 26.67% of subjects, whereas LOA was present in 87.27%. The loss of at least one tooth was observed in 48.90% of subjects, while 47.03% were completely edentulous. Low educational status increased the prevalence ratio (PR) of all diseases (loss of attachment, PR=5.54; bleeding on probing, PR=3.93; tooth loss, PR=2.24; edentulousness, PR=3.34). The prevalence of tooth loss was 2.58 times higher in subjects who reported a monthly income of less than 301 USD. The effect on daily life was occasionally a protective factor and occasionally increased the likelihoods of diseases. Conclusion: These findings substantiate the association of socioeconomic conditions, demographic features, and use of dental services with bleeding on probing, presence of dental calculus, loss of periodontal attachment, tooth loss, and edentulousness among older Brazilian subjects.

Influence of dimethyl sulfoxide used as a solvent on the physical properties and long-term dentin bonding of hydrophilic resins.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) incorporation into relatively hydrophilic resins as a new potential method to improve the durability of resin-dentin bonds. METHODS: Six experimental light-curing BisGMA/HEMA resins solvated in ethanol and DMSO with increasing concentrations of DMSO (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 10wt%) were prepared. The degree of conversion (DC) was evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (n=8); water sorption (Wsp) and water solubility (Wso) were gravimetrically assessed (n=10); and flexural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (E) were determined by a three-point bending flexural test (n=10). Flat dentin surfaces on sound third molars (n=10/group) were bonded with resins containing 0, 2, 4 and 10wt% DMSO used as a two-step etch-and-rinse system. Dentin microtensile bond strength was determined at 24h and after two-year aging in artificial saliva at 37°C. RESULTS: DMSO significantly affected Wsp (p=0.0006), DC, Wso, FS, and E (p<0.0001). In general, the resins' mechanical/physical properties were not affected by 2% or lower DMSO incorporation. Incorporation of 4% or higher DMSO content significantly increased DC, Wsp and Wso, but 2% or higher DMSO concentrations significantly reduced FS and E. No influence on immediate dentin bond strength occurred up to 4% DMSO incorporation. While 4% or higher DMSO concentrations impaired bond strength over time, the resin containing 2% DMSO presented significant higher dentin bond strength compared to the control resin after two year-aging. SIGNIFICANCE: The use of DMSO as a new solvent in adhesive dentistry improves dentin bonding of relatively hydrophilic resins over time. 2% DMSO incorporation in BisGMA/HEMA resins should be sufficient to reduce bond strength loss without compromising polymer mechanical strength and physical properties.

[Aging by the perspective of elderly caregivers]. / O envelhecimento na perspectiva do cuidador de idosos.

This study reports elderly caregivers' perception in charge of giving assistance to three benefiting institutions in elderly care, in the city of Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil. Questions were approached regarding aging, caregivers' personal motivation in the search of working with this sector of population, relationship with elderly, most common difficulties found during work and caregivers' satisfaction. An interview was done with caregivers and the collected verbal material was analyzed through the Collective Subject Discursive Technique. It was possible to realize through the reports the emotional involvement of caregivers with their work as well as the emotional and physical overload which they are exposed to. Reports related to aging could also be collected as well as social questions which motivated caregivers to search for this kind of job. The several eyes of caregivers lead us to search for new strategies of theoretical capability and psychological support for this group, thinking of their well-being along with the elderly well-being.