Longitudinal evaluation of the impact of dental caries treatment on oral health‐related quality of life among schoolchildren

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dental caries treatment on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren and the responsiveness of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ_8‐10) instrument. Brazilian schoolchildren, 8–10 yr of age, were randomly selected and assigned to two groups – dental caries treatment (DCT) and caries‐free (CF) – according to their caries experience [decayed, missing, or filled primary teeth (dmft) and decayed, missing or filled secondary teeth (DMFT) values of ≥0]. The CPQ_8‐10 instrument was administered at baseline and at 4 wk of follow‐up (i.e. 4 wk after completion of dental treatment). In the DCT group, increases in CPQ_8‐10 scores were observed between the baseline and follow‐up results. However, longitudinal evaluation of the CF group demonstrated no statistically significant difference in CPQ_8‐10 scores. Responsiveness of the CPQ_8‐10 instrument (magnitude of change in CPQ_8‐10 scores) in the DCT group was greater (effect size >0.7) than in the CF group. The findings of this study show that dental caries treatment has an important impact on OHRQoL of children. The CPQ_8‐10 was considered an acceptable instrument for longitudinal measurement of changes in OHRQoL.     

Incidence of tuberculosis in patients receiving anti-TNF therapy for rheumatic diseases: a systematic review

Clinical Rheumatology - The TNF inhibitors were the first immunobiologicals used to treat rheumatic diseases, but their use is associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis. The primary...     

Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in children with ataxic cerebral palsy: A sham-controlled,crossover, pilot study

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the use of anodal tDCS of the cerebellar region combined with treadmill training to improve balance and functional performance in children with ataxic cerebral palsy. Design: Single-blind, sham-controlled, crossover, pilot study. Setting: Rehabilitation center and research motion analysis laboratory. Participants: Children (N = 6) with ataxic cerebral palsy and balance deficit. Main Outcome Measures: Static balance (oscillations of the center of pressure), functional balance (Pediatric Balance Scale) and functional performance (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory) were evaluated. Results: Significant reductions occurred in oscillations of the center of pressure with eyes closed after active anodal tDCS only. The effects of treadmill training on functional balance and functional performance in mobility were maintained in the active tDCS group only. Conclusion: These preliminary data support the notion that anodal tDCS of the cerebellar region combined with treadmill training improves balance in children with ataxic cerebral palsy.     

Experimental Zika virus infection induces spinal cord injury and encephalitis in newborn Swiss mice

A widespread epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was reported in 2015 in South and Central America, with neurological symptons including meningoencephalitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults, besides an apparent increased incidence of microcephaly in infants born to infected mothers. It is becoming a necessity to have a trustworthy animal model to better understand ZIKV infection. In this study we used newborn white Swiss mice as a model to investigate the ZIKV strain recently isolated in Brazil. ZIKV was inoculated via intracerebral and subcutaneous routes and analysed through gross histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Here we demonstrated first that the intracerebral group (ICG) displayed severe cerebral lesions, with neuronal death, presence of apoptotic bodies, white matter degeneration and neutrophil perivascular cuffing. In the subcutaneous group (SCG), we observed moderate cerebral lesions, morphologically similar to that found in ICG and additional myelopathy, with architectural loss, marked by neuronal death and apoptotic bodies. Interestingly, we found an intense astrogliosis in brain of both groups, with increased immunoexpression of GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and presence of hypertrophic astrocytes. The spinal cord of subcutaneous group (SCG) exhibited reduction of astrocytes, but those positive for GFAP were hypertrophic and presented prolonged cellular processes. Finally significant lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) were present in newborn mice inoculated by both routes, but SCG method led to an important neurological manifestations (including myelopathy), during a longer period of time and appears for us to be a better model for ZIKV infection.