Evaluation of different teaching methods in the radiographic diagnosis of proximal carious lesions

Objectives:To evaluate four different teaching methodologies in the radiographic diagnosis of proximal carious lesions and in the students’ perception of these methodologies.Methods:71 undergraduate dental students were subdivided into 4 groups according to the teaching methodologies used (traditional, hybrid, e-learning and problem-based learning). All methods were applied by two properly trained researchers. Initially, students completed a pre-methodology test (index test). After applying the teaching methodologies, the students were submitted to a post-methodology test containing periapical radiographs for evaluation of proximal carious lesions. Then, the students answered a questionnaire to verify their perception of the different teaching methodologies. Statistical analysis was done.Results:There were no relationship between the results of pre- and post-methodologies tests, irrespective of the teaching methodology employed (p > 0.05). No differences between the teaching methodologies studied (p > 0.05) were found regarding the amount of correct answers. However, the students who participated in the active (e-learning and problem-based learning) and hybrid teaching methodology reported a positive impact in relation to their diagnostic skills at the questionnaire.Conclusions:All the tested methodologies had a similar performance; however, the traditional methodology showed less acceptance by the students when analyzed subjectively and comparatively. The results of the present study increase comprehension about teaching methodologies for radiographic diagnosis of proximal carious lesions, and there is a potential to build on the knowledge base and provide practical support for students and educators.     

Ultra-processed food consumption associates with higher cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis

Clinical Rheumatology - To investigate the association between food consumption stratified by processing level and cardiovascular risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis. In this cross-sectional...     

Mortality burden associated with all-cause pneumonia among adults with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases,human immunodeficiency virus infection,and malignancies: a population-based comparative study for informed decision-making in public health policies

Clinical Rheumatology -     

Whole-body protein turnover in malnourished patients with child class B and C cirrhosis on diets low to high in protein energy

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of whole-body protein turnover in moderately and severely alcoholic, malnourished, cirrhotic patients fed with different amounts of protein or energy. Six male patients (Child classes B and C) and four age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were studied for 18 d in fasting and feeding states; a single oral dose of [(15)N]glycine was used as a tracer and urinary ammonia was the end product. The kinetic study showed that patients had higher protein catabolism while fasting (patients: 3.14 +/- 1.2 g of lean body mass/9 h; controls: 1.8 +/- 0.3 g of lean body mass/9 h; P < 0.02). Although not statistically significant, protein catabolism (grams of lean body mass/9 h) was lower with the hyperproteic/hyperenergetic diet when compared with fasting. Nitrogen retention was consistent with the lower protein-catabolism rate; a statistically significant increase in nitrogen balance was observed when patients were fed with the hyperproteic/hyperenergetic diet compared with fasting (4.3 +/- 3.2 g of nitrogen/d and -2.2 +/- 1.9 g of nitrogen/d, respectively; P < 0.01). These data indicate that Child class B and C cirrhotic patients are hypercatabolic and that long-term nutritional intervention with a hyperproteic/hyperenergetic diet is likely needed to improve their clinical and nutritional status.     

The quality of life among Otorhinolaryngology residents in Distrito Federal (Brazil)

Otorhinolaryngology residents' quality of life must be investigated during medical residency. Work-related factors impacting their lives, such as depression, sleep deprivation and excessive work load may impact the well-being of these individuals.ObjectiveTo assess and discuss the quality of life of Otorhinolaryngology Resident Physicians in Distrito Federal (Reuni-ORL).Materials and MethodsCross-sectional study, the quality of life of each individual was assessed by means of a questionnaire specifically designed for this purpose - Whoqol-bref, proposed by the WHO.ResultsMales had better psychological scores when compared to females (p= 0.013). Mean scores comparison among the years in residency were statistically significant only in the psychological domain when comparing the first and second years (p=0.046), in which 2nd-year residents had the higher scores.ConclusionDespite constant changes to the ENT program (Reuni-ORL) in the Distrito Federal, aiming at improving work and training conditions for residents, there still is a psychological burden in their first year of residency.     

Effects of TGF-beta1, PDGF-BB, and IGF-1 on the rate of proliferation and adhesion of a periodontal ligament cell lineage in vitro

BACKGROUND: Considering the role of growth factors in periodontal regeneration, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1), alone or in combination, on the rate of proliferation and adhesion of periodontal ligament (PDL) cells in vitro. METHODS: After establishment and characterization of a primary culture of PDL cells, 72 culture dishes were plated with 10(3) cells distributed among four test groups and a control group. Test groups had PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1, IGF-1, or a combination of all three added to the culture medium, whereas the control group received no growth factor. The samples were counted in triplicate 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after seeding. For the adhesion assay, 14 patients provided 30 root fragments distributed among 10 groups: scaling and root planing (SRP), SRP + growth factors, SRP + citric acid plus tetracycline (CA+T), and SRP + (CA+T) + growth factors. The data were evaluated statistically by analysis of variance complemented by Tukey, Dunnett, and Student-Newman-Keuels methods. RESULTS: Maximum rates of proliferation were observed at day 3 for all groups. TGF-beta1 induced a 344.17% +/- 58.80% increased proliferation rate over control (P < 0.05), followed by the combination (277.5% +/- 29.38%), PDGF-BB (238.79% +/- 5.79%), and IGF-1 (233.16% +/- 19.19%). Groups treated by (CA+T) showed increased numbers of cells attached to root fragments, especially SRP + (CA+T) + combination (13.25 +/- 1.79), with significant differences (P < 0.05) from groups treated only by SRP. CONCLUSION: This combination of growth factors stimulated a mitogenic response and favored the adhesion of PDL cells in vitro, suggesting its possible role in periodontal regeneration.     

A randomized double-blinded trial of chloral hydrate with or without hydroxyzine versus placebo for pediatric dental sedation

Chloral hydrate and hydroxyzine are a drug combination frequently used by practitioners to sedate pediatric dental patients, but their effectiveness has not been compared to a negative control group in humans. The aim of this crossover, double-blinded study was to evaluate the effect of these drugs compared to a placebo, administered to young children for dental treatment. Thirty-five dental sedation sessions were carried out on 12 uncooperative ASA I children aged less than 5 years old. In each session patients were randomly assigned to groups P (placebo), CH (chloral hydrate 75 mg/kg) and CHH (chloral hydrate 50 mg/kg plus hydroxyzine 2.0 mg/kg). Vital signs and behavioral variables were evaluated every 15 min. Comparisons were statistically analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. P, CH and CHH had no differences concerning vital signs, except for breathing rate. All vital signs were in the normal range. CH and CHH promoted more sleep in the first 30 min of treatment. Overall behavior was better in CH and CHH than in P. CH, CHH and P were effective in 62.5%, 61.5% and 11.1% of the cases, respectively. Chloral hydrate was safe and relatively effective, causing more satisfactory behavioral and physiological outcomes than a placebo.