Histometric evaluation of the effect of nicotine administration on periodontal breakdown: an in vivo study

The present study investigated the effect of nicotine administration on periodontal breakdown resulting from ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. Twenty adult male Wistar rats were used. After anesthesia, a mandibular first molar was randomly assigned to receive a cotton ligature in the sulcular area while the contralateral tooth was left unligated. The animals were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments, of daily intraperitoneal injections: A - saline solution, B - 0.37 mg of nicotine/kg, C - 0.57 mg of nicotine/kg and D - 0.73 mg of nicotine/kg. Thirty days later, the animals were sacrificed and the specimens routinely processed for serial decalcified sections. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed greater bone loss (p <0.05) in the ligated teeth of animals which received nicotine (groups B/C/D) thin in the ligated teeth of animals which received saline solution (group A). In addition, a dose-dependent response was observed among the nicotine groups. A negative effect of nicotine was observed in the unligated teeth of the experimental groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, daily administration of nicotine enhanced, in a dose-dependent manner, the effects of local factors in producing periodontal breakdown. Furthermore, the nicotine seemed to have a direct deleterious effect on the periodontal tissues.36636136

Experimental Trypanosoma evansii infection in South American coati (Nasua nasua): hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes

The course of an experimental Trypanosoma evansi infection in coatis (Nasua nasua, carnivora, Procyonidae) was followed for 262 days. Hematological analysis of the infected coatis revealed a marked decline in hemoglobin, packed-cell volume, and total erythrocyte count. An intense anemia followed the first wave of parasitemia and persisted until the end of the experimental period. Biochemical analysis showed increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and decreased albumin. The main histopathological features consisted of myocarditis with the presence of degenerate cardiac fibers and meningoencephalitis. This study has shown that coatis infected with T. evansi develop a chronic disease. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved

Counseling Regarding Sexual and Reproductive Behavior: Principles and Practices of Catholic Priests Orientaciones sobre el comportamiento sexual y reproductivo: principios y prácticas de los sacerdotes católicos Orientações sobre o comportamento sexual e reprodutivo: princípios e práticas dos sacerdotes católicos

Considering and respecting religious beliefs and values is vital for delivering integral health care. This study describes the religious principles and guidance provided by Catholic priests on sexuality and reproduction. The oral history method was used. Interviews were carried out between August 2007 and May 2008 and were analyzed in an inductive and interpretive manner to acquire a deep focus on the theme. Thirteen Catholic priests from the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil were interviewed. Counseling provided by the priests has a traditional and conservative character and is based on principles of Catholic doctrine. Health education and promotion activities involving aspects related to sexuality and reproduction should be relevant and permeated with ethical considerations from the perspective of health care services’ users, including religious perspectives.<br>La consideración y el respeto por las creencias y valores religiosos son vitales para la integralidad de la asistencia a la salud. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los principios religiosos y las orientaciones en el ámbito de la sexualidad y reproducción ofrecidas por los sacerdotes católicos. El método de la historia oral fue desarrollado, las entrevistas ocurrieron entre agosto de 2007 y mayo de 2008, fueron analizadas de forma inductiva e interpretativa con un enfoque profundo en el tema. Los entrevistados fueron 13 sacerdotes de la Iglesia Católica de la Ciudad de Sao Paulo. Las orientaciones ofrecidas por los sacerdotes presentan carácter tradicional y conservador y son basadas en principios de la doctrina Católica. Las actividades de educación y promoción de la salud envolviendo aspectos relacionados a la sexualidad y reproducción deben estar impregnadas por la ética, siendo significativas, según la perspectiva de los usuarios de los servicios de salud.<br>A consideração e o respeito às crenças e valores religiosos são vitais para a integralidade da assistência à saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os princípios religiosos e as orientações no âmbito da sexualidade e reprodução, fornecidos pelos sacerdotes católicos. O método da história oral foi desenvolvido, e as entrevistas ocorreram entre agosto de 2007 e maio de 2008, analisadas de forma indutiva e interpretativa para o enfoque profundo no tema. Os entrevistados foram 13 sacerdotes da Igreja Católica da cidade de São Paulo. As orientações fornecidas pelos sacerdotes apresentaram caráter tradicional e conservador, pautadas em princípios da Doutrina Católica. As atividades de educação e promoção da saúde, envolvendo aspectos relacionados à sexualidade e reprodução, devem estar permeadas pela ética, sendo significativas, segundo a perspectiva dos usuários dos serviços de saúde

Constructing public oral health policies in Brazil: issues for reflection

This paper addresses the construction of public oral health policies in Brazil by reviewing the available literature. It includes a discussion of the social responses given by the Brazilian State to oral health policies and the relationship of these responses with the ideological oral health movements that have developed globally, and that have specifically influenced oral health policies in Brazil. The influence of these movements has affected a series of hegemonic practices originating from both Market Dentistry and Preventive and Social Dentistry in Brazil. Among the state activities that have been set into motion, the following stand out: the drafting of a law to regulate the fluoridation of the public water supply, and the fluoridation of commercial toothpaste in Brazil; epidemiological surveys to analyze the status of the Brazilian population's oral health; the inclusion of oral health in the Family Health Strategy (Estratégia de Saúde da Família - ESF); the drawing up of the National Oral Health Policy, Smiling Brazil (Brasil Sorridente). From the literature consulted, the progressive expansion of state intervention in oral health policies is observed. However, there remains a preponderance of hegemonic "dental" practices reproduced in the Unified Public Health Service (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) and the Family Health Strategy