COVID-19 pandemic impacts physical activity levels and sedentary time but not sleep quality in young badminton athletes

Purpose

Regular physical activity is a good strategy to maintain the health of athletes, and prevent pain and decreased joint flexibility during the pandemic. On the other hand, higher sedentary time during the pandemic period can have deleterious effects. The objective of this study was to compare physical activity levels, sedentary time, and sleep parameters during the pre-COVID period and the COVID-19 pandemic period in young badminton athletes.

Methods

Fifteen young badminton athletes were evaluated during a pre-COVID period (July 2019) and during the COVID-19 period (July 2020). Sleep parameters, physical activity level, and sedentary time were measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Participants wore the accelerometer on their dominant wrist for 7 days consecutively. In addition, the average of each sleep parameter [time in bed and total sleep time in hours per day, sleep efficiency (%), wake after sleep onset (WASO, total per day), and sleep latency (minutes per day)] was reported over the 7-day period.

Results

Athletes presented increased sedentary time (pre-COVID?=?7.0?±?1.1 vs.COVID-19?=?8.9?±?1.9 h/day, p?=?0.004, d?=?1.30) and significant decreases in the total PA observed in counts per day (pre-COVID?=?2,967,064.4?±?671,544.1 vs. COVID-19?=?1,868,210.2?±?449,768.4 counts/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.99), time in vigorous PA (pre-COVID?=?7.7?±?0.9 vs. COVID-19?=?6.1?±?1.2 h/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.56), and time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (pre-COVID?=?8.1?±?0.9 vs. COVID-19?=?6.5?±?1.3 h/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.48). There were no significant differences for time in light and moderate PA or in sleep parameters (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion

Young badminton athletes presented increased sedentary time, and decreased total physical activity, time in MVPA, and time in vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID period, however, there were no significant differences in sleep parameters.

     

Stress distribution of different implant connections associated with multiple implant-supported prostheses

Abstract

In some clinical situations, the clinician may encounter previously installed implants that should be associated with other implants for a proper rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical behaviour of a multiple prosthesis joined by different implant connections using photoelasticity. Photoelastic models with a screwed fixed prosthesis supported by implants with different connection systems (Morse taper, external hexagon, internal hexagon, and Flexcone), and different combinations among them, were fabricated. Each assembly was placed in a circular polariscope, and axial and oblique (45°) loads of 100 N were applied on the occlusal surface of the crowns. The fringe patterns were photographed and the analysis was performed by counting the number of high-intensity fringes and also according to the stress distribution region where they appeared. Among implants of the same connection, the external connections obtained a greater number of high intensity fringes when compared to the internal connections. From the biomechanical point of view, the association between different types of connections obtained positive results.     

Morphological and morphometric study of cercariae and adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni (SLM strain) isolated from infected mice

In northeastern Brazil, the schistosomiasis is historically endemic and considered as a public health problem. The Schistosoma mansoni São Lourenço da Mata (SLM—PE, Brazil) strain was used in several paper already published; however, morphological and morphometric studies about this strain was never done. In this work, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used in morphological and morphometric analysis of cercariae and adult worms. Cercariae were obtained from Biomphalaria glabrata snails and adult worms from mice, both infected by the S. mansoni SLM strain, fixed and prepared for SEM. The results showed that cercariae of S. mansoni measures 254.9 μm of length. The bodies are covered by spines, with a ventral sucker, an oral sucker with sensory receivers, and a pair of penetration glands in the head. The area of tail and body and the distance between suckers were 3,011.77, 1,530.32, and 42.9 μm, respectively. Adult worms of S. mansoni were divided into three main regions: the anterior, medial, and posterior, besides the gynecophoral canal in males. The measure of adult worms of S. mansoni was 4 mm males and 5 mm females. The anterior region length of the male was 470 μm and of the female 271 μm. All the parameters were assayed in ten samples. The morphometric values found in the SLM strain were smaller than other S. mansoni strains described in the literature as well as other helminths. This is the first morphological and morphometric study with the SLM strain of S. mansoni being extremely important for improving control strategies and life quality of the local population.     

Genetic variation involved in the risk to external apical root resorption in orthodontic patients: a systematic review

Clinical Oral Investigations - To perform a systematic review/meta-analysis to elucidate the scientific basis for the association between genetic variations and risk of external apical root...     

Survival and prognostic factors in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical factors influencing overall survival (OS) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and Methods Medical charts of 547 patients with OSCC from a public hospital in northeastern Brazil seen between 1999 and 2013 were evaluated. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The influence of age, sex, ethnicity, clinical stage, anatomical location, type of treatment, and comorbidities on the patients’ prognosis was evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors. Results The 5-year OS was 39%. Multivariate analysis showed that age < 40 years (HR = 2.20; 95%CI: 1.02-4.72) and a single treatment modality (HR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.37-2.67) were associated with a poor prognosis, while early clinical stage resulted in better outcomes (HR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.25-0.58). Conclusions OSCC patients in advanced clinical stages, diagnosed at a younger age, and submitted to a single therapeutic modality have a poorer prognosis. Key words:Head and neck cancer, oral cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, survival, prognosis.     

Influence of foraminal enlargement on the apical extrusion of filling material: Volumetric analysis using micro‐computed tomography

The aim of this study was to compare the root canal instrumentation techniques that involve foraminal enlargement versus those not involving it, in regard to the apical extrusion of filling material, using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). Twenty‐two premolars with single canals were instrumented using the ProTaper Universal System and then randomly divided into two groups (n = 11): Group NFE, without foraminal enlargement, and Group FE, with foraminal enlargement. Instrumentation was performed up to 1 mm short of the apical foramen, and foraminal patency was maintained at each instrument change in both groups. Prior to obturation, the apical portion of the specimens was wrapped in adhesive paper to ensure complete separation between apex and extruded material. The canals were filled according to the continuous wave of condensation technique. The apically extruded material was collected and measured using micro‐CT. Extrusion in Group FE was significantly higher than in Group NFE (0.928 mm³ vs. 0.148 mm³; P < 0.001).     

Synergistic potential of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and calcium–aluminate–chitosan scaffolds with dental pulp cells

Clinical Oral Investigations - This study aimed to develop a porous chitosan–calcium–aluminate scaffold (CH-AlCa) in combination with a bioactive dosage of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin...