Evaluation of Mandibular Movement Functions Using Instrumental Ultrasound System.

PURPOSE: The article deals with routinely performed instrumental temporomandibular joint (TMJ) examinations and interpretation of findings obtained from the Arcus Digma ultrasound device in individuals with or without clinical symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of this study was to analyze mandibular movement functions and the relationship between incisors and condylar movement parameters during jaw opening, which may be helpful for clinical evaluation in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 84 young students with no dental problems and other serious acute or chronic diseases in the medical history; the students were examined both clinically and with the Arcus Digma ultrasound device. RESULTS: Helkimo Di = I was the most common score in 49 participants, and Helkimo Di = II in a significantly (p < 0.01, Di = I vs. Di = II) smaller number of participants. Medical history revealed symptoms of unilateral mastication in 15 participants and a statistically significant increased (p < 0.02, participants with symptoms of unilateral mastication vs. asymptomatic) condylar range of motion parameter during retrusion. Also a significant decrease (p < 0.03, participants with symptoms of unilateral mastication vs. asymptomatic) of the incisal and condylar ranges of motion during mouth opening was found. Limitation of mouth opening, defined as a decrease of inter-incisal distance, appeared in 19 participants (22.6%) and in 25 participants (29.8%) measured instrumentally with the Arcus Digma device. A comparison of instrumental result examinations of the right and left TMJs showed positive correlations of the range of mandible opening movement with the Posselt opening movement (r = 0.75) and opening/closing movements with the Posselt closing movements (r = 0.70). A correlation was demonstrated (r = 0.81) between the condylar range of motion studied on the left and on the right TMJ during mandible opening movement. Correlations were also found between opening-closing movements and the condylar range of motion of the left TMJ, and between the opening-closing movement and the condylar range of motion of the right TMJ during the opening movement. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study with instrumental Arcus Digma ultrasound device measurements of mandibular movements, data were provided on irregularities in TMJ function not detected in participants with or without clinical symptoms of TMD.

Dentigenous infectious foci - a risk factor of infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Dentigenous, infectious foci are frequently associated with the development of various diseases. The role of such foci in the evolution of endocarditis still remains unclear. This article presents the concluding results of an interdisciplinary study verifying the influence of dentigenous, infectious foci on the development of infective endocarditis. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study subjects were 60 adult patients with history of infective endocarditis and coexistent acquired heart disease, along with the presence at least 2 odontogenic infectious foci (ie, 2 or more teeth with gangrenous pulp and periodontitis). The group had earlier been qualified for the procedure of heart valve replacement. Swabs of removed heart valve tissue with inflammatory lesions and blood were then examined microbiologically. Swabs of root canals and their periapical areas, of periodontal pockets, and of heart valves were also collected. RESULTS: Microbial flora, cultured from intradental foci, blood and heart valves, fully corresponded in 14 patients. This was accompanied in almost all cases by more advanced periodontitis (2nd degree, Scandinavian classification), irrespective of the bacterial co-occurrence mentioned. In the remaining patients, such consistency was not found. CONCLUSIONS: Among various dentigenous, infectious foci, the intradental foci appear to constitute a risk factor for infective endocarditis.

Changes in Physical Activity and the Occurrence of Specific Symptoms of "Long-COVID Syndrome" in Men Aged 18-25.

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of non-specific symptoms of "long-COVID syndrome" depending on the physical activity undertaken resulting from the imposed forms of study (distance learning-contact learning); 136 men aged 21.5 ± 1.58 from universities educating students of medical faculties were examined. The difference between the universities was mainly due to the nature of the classes undertaken (classes remotely-hybrid form) in the period from March 2020 to February 2021. Among the respondents, 17% in Group I and 16% in Group II were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 50% in Group I with moderate symptoms, and in Group II-most people 45% with mild symptoms. The conducted research clearly shows the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students. They show a number of important problems, such as reduced physical activity, as well as increased body weight and time spent in front of the monitor. They also make it clear that the health consequences of the pandemic affect both people who were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and those who did not suffer from this infection.

Is there a relationship between psychological factors and TMD?

INTRODUCTION: Medical students are in a very demanding environment and are affected by high degree of stress. High levels of anxiety can affect a student's academic performance and also increase the risk of other health-related problems. This study aims to evaluate, thanks to the intensity of stress manifestations (4DSQ) together with the sense of coherence (SOC), the prevalence of TMD and oral parafunctions in students enrolled in the University of Medical Sciences. Moreover, it aims to evaluate the relationship between the psychosocial manifestations of stress and sense of coherence in relation to gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 324 students of Poznan University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. Students were assessed using a three-part questionnaire: one was to assess symptoms of TMD, the second part was 4DSQ, and the third was a SOC Questionnaire. RESULTS: About one-third of the students in this study presented symptoms of TMD and perceived more intensively symptoms of distress, anxiety, somatization, and depression. They presented a higher level of somatic symptoms and a lower level of Sense of Coherence than students without TMD symptoms. CONCLUSION: There is a strong negative relationship between the sense of coherence and the level of perceived distress, anxiety, somatization, and depression. Female students attending Medical School showed a higher level of somatization of stress but with a higher capacity to overcome challenges as compared to men.

Viral Infections Exacerbate FUS-ALS Phenotypes in iPSC-Derived Spinal Neurons in a Virus Species-Specific Manner.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) arises from an interplay of genetic mutations and environmental factors. ssRNA viruses are possible ALS risk factors, but testing their interaction with mutations such as in FUS, which encodes an RNA-binding protein, has been difficult due to the lack of a human disease model. Here, we use isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived spinal neurons (SNs) to investigate the interaction between ssRNA viruses and mutant FUS. We find that rabies virus (RABV) spreads ALS phenotypes, including the formation of stress granules (SGs) with aberrant composition due to increased levels of FUS protein, as well as neurodegeneration and reduced restriction activity by FUS mutations. Consistent with this, iPSC-derived SNs harboring mutant FUS are more sensitive to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) and Zika viruses (ZIKV). We demonstrate that RABV and HIV-1 exacerbate cytoplasmic mislocalization of FUS. Our results demonstrate that viral infections worsen ALS pathology in SNs with genetic risk factors, suggesting a novel role for viruses in modulating patient phenotypes.

Temporomandibular disorders in adolescents with headache.

BACKGROUND: Headache is a common complaint in all age groups and is a frequent cause of medical consultations and hospitalization. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bite and non-bite parafunctions as well as the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in adolescents presenting with primary headaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Parents of adolescents presented with headaches to the Department of Developmental Neurology within a 12-month period were asked to complete a questionnaire developed by the authors of this study. Of the 1000 patients evaluated, 19 females and 21 males, aged 13 to 17 years, met the inclusion criterion - a confirmed clinical diagnosis of migraine or a tension headache according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. The diagnostic algorithm of the study group consisted of a full medical history, an assessment of the occurrence of bite habits and a physical examination based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). RESULTS: Bite and non-bite parafunctions were found in 36 of the study group patients. A significant difference (p = 0.0003) between the number of bite parafunctions and non-bite parafunctions was found in females but not in males. However, bite parafunctions were more frequent in boys compared to girls (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that it may be useful for pediatricians and neurologists to include TMD dysfunctions as a part of a standard examination of adolescents presenting with persistent headaches.

Relations between the results of complex clinical and neurophysiological examinations in patients with temporomandibular disorders symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Reinvestigation of clinical importance of surface electromyography recordings (sEMG) from the masticatory, neck and shoulder girdle muscles in patients with various clinically detected temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). METHODS: Fifty women with myalgia diagnosis of Axis I DC/TMD and the same number of healthy female volunteers were studied clinically and neurophysiologically by means of sEMG. RESULTS: Unilateral more than bilateral complex symptoms of TMDs were related to the non-neurogenic masticatory rather than neck and shoulder girdle muscles dysfunctions at rest. A strong negative correlation between masticatory muscles activity at rest and during maximal contraction was found (rs = -0.778), mainly in the masseter muscle. CONCLUSION: sEMG is a suitable tool for prosthodontists because it provides objective results on the stomatognathic system muscles function. Pain and other temporomandibular symptoms detected mostly unilaterally significantly increase muscle tension of the masticatory muscles and diminish muscle motor units recruitment during maximal contraction. Effects may spread to the neck and shoulder girdle muscles.