Improving reproducibility and external validity : the role of standardization and data reporting of laboratory rat husbandry and housing

Purpose: to identify the most relevant flaws in standardization in husbandry practices and lack of transparency to report them. This review proposes some measures in order to improve transparency, reproducibility and eventually external validity in experimental surgery experiments with rat model. Methods: we performed a search of scientific articles in PUBMED data base. The survey was conducted from august 2016 to January 2017. The keywords used were "reproducibility", "external validity", "rat model", "rat husbandry", "rat housing", and the time frame was up to January 2017. Articles discarded were the ones which the abstract or the key words did not imply that the authors would discuss any relationship of husbandry and housing with the reproducibility and transparency of reporting animal experiment. Reviews and papers that discussed specifically reproducibility and data reporting transparency were laboriously explored, including references for other articles that could fulfil the inclusion criteria. A total of 246 articles were initially found but only 44 were selected. Results: lack of transparency is the rule and not the exception when reporting results with rat model. This results in poor reproducibility and low external validity with the consequence of considerable loss of time and financial resources. There are still much to be done to improve compliance and adherence of researchers, editors and reviewers to adopt guidelines to mitigate some of the challenges that can impair reproducibility and external validity. Conclusions: authors and reviewers should avoid pitfalls of absent, insufficient or inaccurate description of relevant information the rat model used. This information should be correctly published or reported on another source easily available for readers. Environmental conditions are well known by laboratory animal personnel and are well controlled in housing facilities, but usually neglected in experimental laboratories when the rat model is a novelty for the researcher

Relato de caso raro de extenso xantoma verruciforme no palato

Verruciform xanthoma represents a rare disease of unknown etiology that typically affects the oral mucosa. In most cases, it is asymptomatic and characterized by a well demarcated elevation with irregular or papillary surface. The gums are the most affected oral site, and the lesion is usually less than 2 cm in diameter. The aim of this study is to report a rare case of an extensive verruciform xanthoma in the hard palate and gums of a 55-year-old male. Clinically, the well delimitated, reddish, elastic lesion measuring approximately 2.8 X 1.5 cm had a slightly granular surface. Histopathological analysis found proliferative epithelial activity with evident papillomatosis, parakeratosis, and large epithelial ridges. Xanthomatous cells with clear, vacuolated cytoplasm were detected in the lamina propria. The patient has been disease free for 18 months. According to an extensive research in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Lilacs databases, this paper describes one of the most extensive cases of verruciform xanthoma reported in the literature.O xantoma verruciforme é uma lesão rara de etiologia não determinada, que acomete, principalmente, a mucosa oral. Na maioria das vezes é assintomática, caracterizando-se por uma elevação bem-delimitada, de superfície rugosa ou papilar, e sua principal localização na boca é a gengiva. Com relação ao tamanho, a maioria das lesões não ultrapassa 2 cm no seu maior diâmetro. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso raro de extenso xantoma verruciforme em paciente do gênero masculino, de 55 anos, apresentando lesão localizada no palato duro e na gengiva palatina. Clinicamente, a lesão possuía bordas bem-destacadas, de superfície levemente granular e coloração avermelhada, com consistência elástica, medindo aproximadamente 2,8 X 1,5cm. O exame histopatológico demonstrou a presença de proliferação do epitélio de revestimento, exibindo papilomatose, paraceratose e alongamento das cristas epiteliais. Na lâmina própria, células xantomatosas com citoplasma claro e vacuolado puderam ser observadas. O paciente encontra-se livre de recidivas após 18 meses de acompanhamento clínico. De acordo com extensa pesquisa em bases de dados (pubmed, medline, lilacs), o presente caso representa uma das maiores lesões do tipo xantoma verruciforme já relatadas na literatura

Comprometimento cognitivo no transtorno bipolar : neuroprogressão ou variante comportamental da demência frontotemporal?

Pacientes com Transtorno Bipolar (TB) costumam apresentar déficits cognitivos ao envelhecer. No entanto, a correlação com síndromes demenciais é inconclusiva, apesar da similaridade com a variante comportamental da demência frontotemporal (bvFTD). Nós relatamos uma paciente de 78 anos de idade com TB tipo 1 desde a adolescência. Seus sintomas variavam de apatia a mania psicótica. A paciente passou por 3 internações, sendo a última há 10 anos, seguida de estabilização clínica. No entanto, nos últimos 2 anos, ela apresentou sintomas diferentes, como irritabilidade expressada por agressões verbal e física, comprometimento cognitivo, padrão repetitivo de comportamento, perambulação, delírios persecutórios, desorientação e hiporexia. O tratamento com anticolinesterásicos ou estabilizadores de humor não revelou melhora. Apresentou 17/30 pontos no miniexame do estado mental, a avaliação neuropsicológica sugeriu déficit de função executiva, atenção e memória. Os exames de neuroimagem demonstraram atrofia e hipoperfusão fronto-temporal. Abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas para este tipo de paciente representam um desafio significativo para os clínicos.Patients with Bipolar Disorder (BD) usually display cognitive deficits with aging. However, the correlation between BD and dementia syndromes is inconclusive, despite the similarity with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. We report a 78-year-old female patient who had bipolar type 1 disorder since adolescence. Her symptoms ranged from apathy to psychotic mania. She had had three hospitalizations, and since her last stay 10 years ago, her symptoms had remained stable. However, in the past 2 years, she displayed different symptoms, such as irritability manifested as verbal and physical aggression, cognitive impairment, repetitive pattern of behavior, perambulation, persecutory delusions, disorientation, and hyporexia. Treatment with anticholinesterases or mood stabilizers promoted no improvement. She scored 17/30 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination. Neuropsychological assessment suggested deficits in executive function, attention, and memory. Neuroimaging tests revealed frontotemporal degeneration and hypoperfusion. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this type of patient represent a significant challenge for clinicians

Alternative treatment for open bite Class III malocclusion in a child with Williams-Beuren syndrome

A síndrome de Williams-Beuren (WBS) é uma doença genética rara, acometendo, aproximadamente, de 1:20.000 a 1:50.000 crianças nascidas. As crianças com WBS têm deformidades esqueléticas específicas, má formações dentárias e, algumas vezes, disfunção muscular da língua. As necessidades ortodônticas e ortognáticas têm sido consideradas um verdadeiro desafio clínico, até mesmo para aqueles profissionais com vasta experiência, uma vez que requerem um plano de tratamento individualizado e complexo. Esse relato de caso aborda uma expansão ortopédica da maxila, em que foi utilizada uma máscara facial modificada para protração do complexo maxilar, acompanhada de uma rotação horária da maxila. Além disso, considerações especiais sobre o tempo de tratamento e resultados ortopédicos são discutidas.Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in every 20,000 - 50,000 live births. WBS children have specific skeletal deformities, dental malformations and rare lingual muscle dysfunction. The need for orthodontic and orthognathic therapy has arisen and has been considered a real clinical challenge even for experienced professionals, once it requires a complex and individualized treatment plan. This study reports a case of orthopedic expansion of the maxilla, in which a modified facial mask was used for protraction of the maxillary complex associated with clockwise rotation of the maxilla. In addition, special considerations about treatment time and orthopedic outcomes are discussed

The effect of simvastatin on relapse of tooth movement and bone mineral density in rats measured by a new method using microtomography

Purpose: to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on relapse of tooth movement in rats using microtomography (micro CT), as well as the correlation of bone density with the orthodontic relapse. Methods: twenty-five adult male Wistar rats, divided into two groups, had stainless steel springs installed on left maxillary first molar. The molars were moved for 18 days, and after removing the springs, were applied by oral gavage, 5mg/kg of simvastatin in the experimental group for 20 days. Tooth relapse was assessed with a micro CT scanner, and the images chosen through the Data Viewer software 1.5.0.0 had their measurement guides made and checked by the software Image ProR plus 5.1, and compared by Mann-Whitney test. After rats were sacrificed, bone mineral density was evaluated by micro CT through the software CT Analyzer 1.13 and compared by independent T-test, as well as by Spearman correlation test. Results: relapse and bone mineral density (BMD) was lower in the experimental group than in the control group, however without a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: simvastatin did not inhibit the relapse of tooth movement in rats, and there was no correlation between bone density and orthodontic relapse

Assessment of the accuracy of portable monitors for halitosis evaluation in subjects without malodor complaint : are they reliable for clinical practice?

Halitosis is defined as a foul odor emanated from the oral cavity, with great impact in quality of life and social restraints. Recently, the use of Breath Alert™ in research increased significantly. Halimeter™, another portable device, is often used in clinical practice. Nevertheless, not many studies have verified the accuracy and compared the results of both devices simultaneously. Objective: To verify the accuracy of Breath Alert™ and Halimeter™ in patients without chief complaint of halitosis, using the organoleptic test (OT) as "gold standard." The second aim was to verify whether their concomitant use could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of halitosis. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was performed. The quality of expired air of 34 subjects without chief complaint of halitosis was assessed. Two experienced examiners carried out the OT. Afterward, a third blinded examiner performed Halimeter™ (HT) and Breath Alert™ (BA) tests. Results: The OT identified halitosis in 21 subjects (62%). The area under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.67 (0.48-0.85) and 0.54 (0.34-0.75) for HT and BA, respectively. The accuracy for HT and BA was 59% and 47%, respectively. The combined usage of HT and BA provided 11 positive results, being 9 subjects (43%) out of the total of 21 positive cases. Conclusions: Halimeter™ and Breath Alert™ were not able to diagnose halitosis in non-complainer subjects at the same level as the organoleptic examination, since their accuracy were low. Our results suggest that such portable devices are not reliable tools to assess halitosis and may neglect or misdiagnose a considerable number of patients in clinical practice

Fibrossarcoma ameloblástico agressivo em maxila : relato de caso e novas perspectivas com base na literatura atual

O fibrossarcoma ameloblástico (FSA) é um tumor maligno raro caracterizado pela presença de componente epitelial benigno em um tecido conjuntivo fibroso maligno. Pode desenvolver-se a partir de um fibroma ameloblástico ou como uma lesão nova. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar um caso de um FSA agressivo e recorrente em maxila em um paciente de 38 anos. O diagnóstico histopatológico desse tumor pode ser difícil, principalmente a partir de biópsias incisionais. Este trabalho também discute fatores em relação aos aspectos histopatológicos para o seu diagnóstico, assim como seu comportamento clínico, com base em revisão atual da literatura.Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma (AFS) is a rare malignant tumor characterized by benign epithelial component within a malignant fibrous stroma. It occurs as a de novo lesion or from a previous ameloblastic fibroma. The aim of this paper is to report an aggressive and recurrent case of AFS in the maxilla of a 38-year-old patient. Histopathological diagnosis can be challenging, especially when it is based on incisional biopsy specimens. Hence, this report highlights not only the importance of the histological features for diagnosis but also the clinical behavior of AFS based on current literature evidence

O que o reumatologista deve saber sobre as manifestações orofaciais das doenças reumáticas autoimunes

Manifestações orofaciais ocorrem com frequência nas doenças reumáticas e, comumente, representam sinais iniciais ou de atividade da doença que ainda são negligenciados na prática clínica. Entre as doenças reumáticas autoimunes com possíveis manifestações orais, incluem-se a artrite reumatoide (AR), miopatias inflamatórias (MI), esclerose sistêmica (ES), lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES), policondrite recidivante (PR) e síndrome de Sjögren (SS). Sinais e sintomas orofaciais como hipossalivação, xerostomia, disfunções temporomandibulares, lesões na mucosa bucal, doença periodontal, disfagia e disfonia podem ser a primeira expressão dessas doenças reumáticas. Esse artigo revisa as principais manifestações orofaciais das doenças reumáticas que podem ser de interesse do reumatologista, para diagnóstico e acompanhamento das doenças reumáticas autoimunes.Orofacial manifestations occur frequently in rheumatic diseases and usually represent early signs of disease or of its activity that are still neglected in clinical practice. Among the autoimmune rheumatic diseases with potential for oral manifestations, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory myopathies (IM), systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), relapsing polychondritis (RP) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) can be cited. Signs and symptoms such as oral hyposalivation, xerostomia, temporomandibular joint disorders, lesions of the oral mucosa, periodontal disease, dysphagia, and dysphonia may be the first expression of these rheumatic diseases. This article reviews the main orofacial manifestations of rheumatic diseases that may be of interest to the rheumatologist for diagnosis and monitoring of autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Educação médica ”“: Interdisciplinaridade à luz da andragogia

O Programa Nacional de Reorientação da Formação Profissional em Saúde (Pró-Saúde) e o Programa de Educação pelo Trabalho para a Saúde (PET-Saúde) encontram-se articulados com a perspectiva de reorientar a formação profissional. Deste modo, busca-se a substituição do modelo tradicional de organização do cuidado em saúde, historicamente centrado na doença e no atendimento hospitalar. Uma das premissas fundamentais é fortalecer a integração ensino-serviço tendo a Estratégia Saúde da Família, onde a atuação está pautada nos princípios da integralidade, equidade e universalidade do Sistema Único de Saúde, como espaço para o desenvolvimento de ações numa abordagem integral do processo saúde-doença. Este artigo apresenta a experiência dos autores como preceptores e tutores de projetos e ações do PET Saúde /Distrito Federal em parceria com a Universidade de Brasília na visão interdisciplinar do desenvolvimento das ações. Ao expor os aspectos facilitadores das estratégias de enfrentamento, bem como aqueles que as dificultam, suscita-se a reflexão sobre a concepção da educação médica integrando ensino e serviço à luz da Andragogia, que considera a experiência profissional como elemento fundamental dos métodos educativos. &nbsp

Sialometry of upper labial minor glands : a clinical approach by the use of weighing method Schirmer’s test strips paper

Objectives. To establish referential values ranges of hyposalivation and normosalivation for the salivary flow rate (SFR) of upper labial (LS) and palatal (PS) mucosa using Schirmer's test strips paper and as a second goal to determine the values ranges of the SFR of palatal (PS) and upper labial (LS) mucosa in subjects with and without xerostomia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among subjects distributed in three groups according to their unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva. Results. 144 subjects were enrolled in groups as follows: severe hyposalivation (n=24), mild hyposalivation (n=78), and normosalivation (n=42). The mean and the 95% confidence interval for the LS flow rate (μL/cm2/min) were 3.2 (2.46 to 3.94), 5.86 (4.96 to 6.75), and 9.08 (7.63 to 10.53) (P<0.001) for each group, respectively. The PS results were 1.01 (0.68 to 1.34), 1.72 (1.31 to 2.13), and 2.44 (1.66 to 3.22) (P=0.014). Xerostomia complainers presented lower rates of LS (5.17 (4.06 to 6.23)) than non-complainers (7.33 (6.4 to 8.27)) (P=0.003). Conclusions. The test was reliable to provide referential values ranges for LS flow rate measurement and was shown to be valid to distinguish normosalivation from severe and mild hyposalivation and also to predict xerostomia