Control of gingival inflammation in a teenager population using ultrasonic prophylaxis

Gingival inflammation is clinically characterized by gingival redness, swelling and increased tendency of bleeding of the soft tissue. Bacterial biofilm is the etiological agent. If, at this stage, the bacterial biofilm is removed and appropriate control methods are applied, remission of gingival inflammation occurs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a single session of ultrasonic prophylaxis for the reduction of gingivitis in an adolescent population using the Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI). The study sample consisted of 15 male adolescent students selected at a dentist's office of a public high school. Prior to treatment (baseline), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. The patients then received oral hygiene instructions and ultrasonic prophylaxis. Follow-up exams were made 15 and 30 days after the ultrasonic prophylaxis, again recording PI and BOP. The data were analyzed by the Student's t-test for dependent samples. Correlation analysis between presence of biofilm and bleeding on probing was also made using the Pearson correlation test. There was a statistically significant decrease in the plaque index and bleeding on probing between baseline and examinations at both 15 days and 30 days (p<0.05). However, the difference between the means at 15 and 30 days was statistically similar. The correlation analysis showed correlation between both parameters (p<0.05). The results indicate that a single session of ultrasonic prophylaxis associated to oral hygiene instructions is efficient to reverse gingivitis in adolescents.     

Effect of Sex and Estrogens on Neuronal Activation in an Animal Model of Migraine

Objective.— In this study, we evaluated the influence of sex and estrogen treatment on nitroglycerin (NTG)‐induced neuronal activation in the rat brain. Background.— Systemic NTG activates cerebral nuclei of rat involved in nociceptive transmission, as well as in neuroendocrine and autonomic functions. These changes are considered relevant for migraine, since NTG consistently induces spontaneous‐like attacks in migraineurs. Methods.— Intact and castrated male and female rats, and castrated female rats treated with estradiol benzoate (or placebo) were injected with NTG and sacrificed after 4 hours. Rats were perfused, and their brains were processed for Fos protein, a marker of neuronal activation. Results.— Data showed a reduced expression of NTG‐induced Fos protein in the paraventricular nucleus (PVH), supraoptic nucleus (SON), and nucleus trigeminalis caudalis (SPVC) of male rats in comparison with female rats. Furthermore, in castrated female rats, NTG‐induced neuronal activation was reduced in PVH, SON, central nucleus of the amygdala (AMI), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), area postrema (AP), and SPVC, while in castrated male rats Fos expression was reduced uniquely in the SPVC. Chronic administration of estrogens restored Fos protein expression in PVH, SON, AMI, NTS, AP, and SPVC in castrated female rats. Conclusion.— These data provide a support for the existence of a sexual dimorphism in NTG‐induced neuronal activation, and they prompt a specific model for evaluating and modulating the influence of estrogens upon the cerebral structures implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine.     

Viscoelastic Properties of Normal and Infarcted Myocardium Measured by a Multifrequency Shear Wave Method: Comparison with Pressure-Segment Length Method

Our aims were (i) to compare in vivo measurements of myocardial elasticity by shear wave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) with those by the conventional pressure-segment length method, and (ii) to quantify changes in myocardial viscoelasticity during systole and diastole after reperfused acute myocardial infarction. The shear elastic modulus (μ₁) and viscous coefficient (μ₂) of left ventricular myocardium were measured by SDUV in 10 pigs. Young's elastic modulus was independently measured by the pressure-segment length method. Measurements made with the SDUV and pressure-segment length methods were strongly correlated. At reperfusion, μ₁ and μ₂ in end-diastole were increased. Less consistent changes were found during systole. In all animals, μ₁ increased linearly with left ventricular pressure developed during systole. Preliminary results suggest that μ₁ is preload dependent. This is the first study to validate in vivo measurements of myocardial elasticity by a shear wave method. In this animal model, the alterations in myocardial viscoelasticity after a myocardial infarction were most consistently detected during diastole.     

One-on-one comparison between qCSI and NEWS scores for mortality risk assessment in patients with COVID-19

ObjectiveTo compare the predictive value of the quick COVID-19 Severity Index (qCSI) and the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for 90-day mortality amongst COVID-19 patients.MethodsMulticenter retrospective cohort study conducted in adult patients transferred by ambulance to an emergency department (ED) with suspected COVID-19 infection subsequently confirmed by a SARS-CoV-2 test (polymerase chain reaction). We collected epidemiological data, clinical covariates (respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, level of consciousness and use of supplemental oxygen) and hospital variables. The primary outcome was cumulative all-cause mortality during a 90-day follow-up, with mortality assessment monitoring time points at 1, 2, 7, 14, 30 and 90 days from ED attendance. Comparison of performances for 90-day mortality between both scores was carried out by univariate analysis.ResultsFrom March to November 2020, we included 2,961 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (median age 79 years, IQR 66–88), with 49.2% females. The qCSI score provided an AUC ranging from 0.769 (1-day mortality) to 0.749 (90-day mortality), whereas AUCs for NEWS ranging from 0.825 for 1-day mortality to 0.777 for 90-day mortality. At all-time points studied, differences between both scores were statistically significant (p < .001).ConclusionPatients with SARS-CoV-2 can rapidly develop bilateral pneumonias with multiorgan disease; in these cases, in which an evacuation by the EMS is required, reliable scores for an early identification of patients with risk of clinical deterioration are critical. The NEWS score provides not only better prognostic results than those offered by qCSI at all the analyzed time points, but it is also better suited for COVID-19 patients.

KEY MESSAGES

• This work aims to determine whether NEWS is the best score for mortality risk assessment in patients with COVID-19.
• AUCs for NEWS ranged from 0.825 for 1-day mortality to 0.777 for 90-day mortality and were significantly higher than those for qCSI in these same outcomes.
• NEWS provides a better prognostic capacity than the qCSI score and allows for long-term (90 days) mortality risk assessment of COVID-19 patients.

     

Alpha-synuclein as a biomarker in Parkinson's disease: focus on neural derived extracelluar vesicles

The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease(PD)is rapidly increasing,and more than 12 million people are expected to suffer from PD by 2040.PD is a highly invalidating neurodegenerative condition that arises from the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.The main cause for such degeneration is the formation of cytoplasmic inclusions known as Lewy bodies.     

Rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development and oral health disparities among children and adolescents: a pathway analysis

Background: To examine the relationships of rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development, socio-demographic characteristics, and oral health-related behaviours with dental clinical measures in children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study paired by age, gender and social class included 61 children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (n = 40) or mucopolysaccharidoses (n = 21) and those without genetic rare diseases (n = 60). Participants were selected at two referral hospitals for rare genetic diseases in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Caregivers completed a questionnaire to obtain age, gender, caregiver’s schooling, social class, patterns of dental attendance and duration of breastfeeding. Oral hygiene, dental caries, dental anomalies and malocclusion were assessed through dental examinations. The relationships between variables were estimated through Pathway analysis using the maximum likelihood method. Results: Rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development were directly associated with dental caries (β = 0.22), dental anomalies (β = 0.36) and malocclusion (β = 0.29). They were also inversely linked to a preventive pattern of dental attendance (β = –0.25). Rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development were associated with poor oral hygiene (β = 0.28) and shorter breastfeeding duration (β = –0.21). Rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development were linked indirectly with dental caries, a reduced pattern of dental attendance and poor oral hygiene (β = 0.43). Patterns of dental attendance mediated the link between rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development and malocclusion (β = –0.05). Conclusion: Rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development were associated with poor oral health. Patterns of dental attendance and poor oral hygiene mediated the link between rare genetic diseases affecting skeletal development and dental clinical measures.Key words: Dental care for disabled, disabled children, rare diseases, oral health, osteogenesis imperfecta, mucopolysaccharidosis