Comparison of digital and conventional radiographic techniques

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between conventional and digital radiographic methods in the measurement of periapical lesions in primary molars and compares the time used to obtain the radiographic images betweenboth methods. Material and methods: This crossover study included children between 4 to 8-year-old with periapical lesion in primary mandibular molars. Fifteen molars were randomly assigned firstly to receive conventional or digital periapical radiograph during the steps of endodontic treatment. The time to obtain the radiographic image was evaluated in seconds and compared by the Mann-Whitney test. The periapical lesions measurement (mm2) were performed by the Image J software and the degree of correlation of measurement between both techniques was evaluated by the Spearman correlation test. Data was analyzed using the GraphPad Prism software (α = 0.05). Results: A strong positive correlation between the measurement of lesions occurred on conventional methods in comparison with the measurement on digital methods (r2=0.778; p<0.0006); however, the time to obtain the radiographic images was shorter in the digital method (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The digital method had a shorter amount of time to obtain the images and strong correlation for the lesions measurement in comparison to the conventional method. Therefore, the digital radiograph method is preferable for use in children

Investigating the association between dental age and polymorphisms in genes encoding estrogen receptors

Background: Genetic polymorphisms have been shown to influence several physiological traits, including dental and craniofacial characteristics. Understanding the clinical relevance of genetic polymorphisms in dental practice is crucial to personalize treatment plans and improve treatment outcomes. Objective: to evaluate the association between dental age and genetic polymorphisms in genes encoding estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ESR1 and ESR2, respectively) in a sample of Brazilian children. Methodology: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed with children undergoing orthodontic treatment. Patients with syndromes, congenital anomalies, craniofacial deformities, under hormonal or systemic treatment, and with a previous history of facial trauma were excluded. Panoramic radiographs were used to assess dental age according to the Demirjian, Goldstein, and Tanner method. A delta [dental age-chronological age (DA-CA)] was obtained, which shows whether the patient tends to have a normal, delayed (negative values), or advanced (positive values) dental age. DNA isolated from buccal cells was used to genotype four genetic polymorphisms: rs9340799 (A&gt;G) and rs2234693 (C&gt;T), located in ESR1; and rs1256049 (C&gt;T) and rs4986938 (C&gt;T), located in ESR2. A statistical analysis was performed and values of p&lt;0.05 indicated statistical difference. Results: A total of 79 patients were included, 44 (55.70%) girls and 35 (44.30%) boys. The Demirjian, Goldstein, and Tanner method, in general, overestimated patients’ age by 0.75 years. There was no difference in the delta of dental age between the sexes (p&gt;0.05). Genetic polymorphisms in ESR1 and ESR2 were not associated with dental age (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The studied genetic polymorphisms in ESR1 and ESR2 were not associated with dental age in Brazilian childre

Does Suppression Levels of Testosterone Have an Impact in The Craniofacial Growth? A Systematic Review in Animal Studies/ A supressão de testosterona impacta o crescimento craniofacial? Uma revisão sistemática de estudos com animais

Sexual hormonal disturbances in humans alter the growth bone. Suppression testosterone is performed in animals for evaluated their effects on craniofacial complex. The aim of this study is to investigate, through of a systematic review from animal studies, the effects of testosterone suppression on the craniofacial complex development. Seven databases, including Open Grey literature, were searched since inception to March 01, 2021, following strategy MEDLINE for terms conducted the search. The study design PICOS was used to establish the eligibility criteria: P - Animals; I - Suppression of testosterone production; C - Animals with normal levels of testosterone; O - Effect in craniofacial growth/development; S - In vivo studies. Relevant data were collected and inserted in characteristics of studies table. Risk of bias was assessed using SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool. Ten studies were included in the systematic review. Two were classified with low risk of bias and eight with unclear. The mandible in experiment group was significantly smaller than control group. The trabecular bone mineral density of the mandible was decrease after testosterone suppression. There was an increase in the number of osteoclasts in the experimental groups. All cephalometric measurements of the maxilla, except in one study, were reduced in orchiectomized rats. The expression of androgen receptor was significantly reduced in head condyle of the experimental group. Testosterone suppression decreases the growth of craniofacial complex bones through imbalance of the bone turnover due to the increase in the number of osteoclasts

Evaluation of parasite contamination on toothbrushes in children in Southeastern Brazil.

Introduction: The toothbrush is an important object for the hygiene of the oral cavity and an effective mechanism to remove the oral waste. Objective: To evaluate the perception of care, storage and parasitic contamination of toothbrushes in children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and children without special health care needs (CWSHCN) in Southern of Minas Gerais State. Material and Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional non-randomized study. The population consisted in 54 children, with age between 7 and 14 years. The questionnaire was distributed to patients to evaluate the perception of care and storage of children’s toothbrushes. Investigation of toothbrushes contamination was performed by parasitological examination and real-time polymerase chain reactions. Results: Regarding the procedures performed after brushing, 50.0% of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and 56.3% of children without special health care needs (CWSHCN) report washing their brush bristles with water (p &lt;0.001). Both groups did not use an antiseptic solution on toothbrushes. 73.3% of (CSHCN) and 58.7% of (CWSHCN) answered that they use some protection (brush holder and bathroom cabinet) to avoid exposure of brushes to the environment (p &lt;0.001). Conclusion: The children investigated by the study presented good conditions of care and storage of their toothbrushes. No contamination by pathogenic parasites was found during the study period.Introducción: El cepillo de dientes es un objeto importante para la higiene de la cavidad bucal y un mecanismo eficaz para eliminar los residuos bucales. Objetivo: Evaluar la percepción del cuidado, almacenamiento y contaminación parasitaria de los cepillos dentales en niños con necesidades especiales de salud (CSHCN) y niños sin necesidades especiales de salud (CWSHCN) en el sur del estado de Minas Gerais. Material y Métodos: Se trata de un estudio observacional transversal no aleatorio. La población consistió en 54 niños, con edad entre 7 y 14 años. El cuestionario fue distribuido a los pacientes para evaluar la percepción del cuidado y almacenamiento de los cepillos dentales de los niños. La investigación de la contaminación de los cepillos dentales se realizó mediante un examen parasitológico y reacciones en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real. Resultados: En cuanto a los procedimientos realizados tras el cepillado, el 50,0% de los niños con necesidades especiales de atención sanitaria (NCNEAS) y el 56,3% de los niños sin necesidades especiales de atención sanitaria (NSNEAS) refieren lavar las cerdas del cepillo con agua (p &lt;0,001). Ambos grupos no utilizaron una solución antiséptica en los cepillos de dientes. El 73,3% de los (NCNEAS) y el 58,7% de los (NSNEAS) contestaron que utilizan alguna protección (portacepillos y mueble de baño) para evitar la exposición de los cepillos al medio ambiente (p &lt;0,001). Conclusiones: Los niños investigados por el estudio presentaron buenas condiciones de cuidado y almacenamiento de sus cepillos dentales. No se encontró contaminación por parásitos patógenos durante el período de estudio

Relação entre Vivência Acadêmica e Ansiedade em Estudantes Universitários

Researches have evaluated the anxiety and college students adaptation to academic life, but few Brazilian studies investigated the relation between these variables. This study aimed to evaluate the student’s degree of academic adaptation and its relation to anxiety and sociodemographic and academic variables. This is a cross-sectional Survey research, part of a multicentric study. Participated 316 students from three institutions: Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto e Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro. Subjects answered online instruments: Questionário de Vivências Acadêmicas (QVA-r); Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse (DASS-21) and sociodemografic/academic questionnaire. Results showed moderate degree of academic adaptation, stronger for the dimensions Carrier, Personal and Interpessonal and moderate levels of anxiety. Multiple regression indicated that higher levels of anxiety were predictor of lower degree of academic adaptation, for Carrier, Study and Institucional. For Carrier, being in a medical course was predictor of lower degree of adaptation. For anxiety, the predictors were being female, being in Nursing course and low age. This research can be considered an advance in this area due to the lack of studies on this issue. Future studies should include others universities and parts of the country.Estudos têm investigado a ansiedade e a adaptação acadêmica em estudantes universitários, mas poucas pesquisas nacionais avaliaram a relação entre estas variáveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o grau de adaptação acadêmica dos estudantes e suas relações com ansiedade e variáveis sociodemográficas e acadêmicas. Trata-se de Pesquisa de Levantamento (Survey), de corte transversal, parte de um estudo multicêntrico. Participaram 316 alunos da Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto e Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro. Foram aplicados os seguintes instrumentos online: Questionário de Vivências Acadêmicas (QVA-r); Escala de Depressão, Ansiedade e Estresse (DASS-21) e Questionário sociodemográfico/acadêmico. Os resultados mostraram grau moderado de adaptação acadêmica, com maiores escores nas dimensões Carreira, Pessoal e Interpessoal e níveis moderados de ansiedade. Na regressão múltipla, maior nível de ansiedade foi preditor de menor adaptação acadêmica, nas dimensões Carreira, Estudo e Institucional. Para a dimensão Carreira, cursar Medicina também foi um fator preditor de menor adaptação. Para ansiedade, os fatores preditores foram: sexo feminino, cursar Enfermagem e ter menor idade. Esta pesquisa pode ser considerada um avanço na área, devido à carência de estudos nesta temática. Estudos futuros deverão incluir outras universidades e regiões do país

Single Nucleotides Polymorphisms in COX2 Gene and their Association with Signs and Symptoms of Teething – A Pilot Study

Objective: To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the COX2 gene (rs689466 and rs5275) and local and systemic signs and symptoms of teething. Material and Methods: Forty-four pairs of mothers-babies/toddlers were included. Erupted primary teeth were evaluated during clinical examination. Local and systemic signs and symptoms of teething were obtained from mothers\u27 reporting via anamnesis. Samples of buccal cells were retrieved for DNA genotyping using real-time PCR. The T-test, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and haplotype analyses were applied. Results: Almost all mothers (95.5%) reported at least one local or systemic sign and symptom of teething. The most common was increased salivation (79.5%), diarrhea (72.3%), and fever (70.5%). The mean number of signs and symptoms per child was higher in boys than girls (mean = 5.1; SD= 1.5; p=0.008). Sleep disturbance (p=0.03) and loss of appetite (p=0.05) were more reported in boys. The rs689466 and rs5275 were not associated with signs and symptoms of teething (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The single nucleotide polymorphisms in the COX2 gene (rs689466 and rs5275) were not associated with local and systemic signs and symptoms of teething

Núcleo Poiesis: uma construção interinstitucional para o fortalecimento dos estudos e práticas sobre terapia ocupacional e trabalho

The Poiesis Nucleus - Interinstitutional Laboratory of Occupational Therapy and Work was born from the desire to set collective actions, inter-institutional partnerships, and academic dialogues between professors and occupational therapists that study work. This experience report describes the Nucleus building process. Also, it presents a profile of its researchers' members, productions, partnerships, future projects, and the contributions of this group to the studies and practices about occupational therapy and work. As a collective, the productions have summed up to two papers, four book chapters, inter-institutional partnerships in teaching, research, and extension activities, and debates about Occupational Therapy and work in academic events, with the leading professional's institutions in the country. It is concluded that the collective experience of peers promoted a dialogue between universities spread throughout the national territory, which is essential to promote exchanges of experiences, knowledge, and practices in the work field and Occupational Therapy. &nbsp;O Núcleo Poiesis - Laboratório Interinstitucional de Terapia Ocupacional e Trabalho, nasceu da vontade de estabelecer ações coletivas, parcerias interinstitucionais e experimentações acadêmicas entre docentes e terapeutas ocupacionais que estudam o trabalho. Esse relato de experiência descreve o processo de construção do Núcleo Poiesis, apresenta o perfil de suas pesquisadoras, suas produções e parcerias, seus projetos futuros e as contribuições desse grupo para os estudos e práticas sobre terapia ocupacional e trabalho. Enquanto coletivo, as produções somaram até então dois artigos, quatro capítulos de livros, além de parcerias interinstitucionais em ensino, pesquisa e extensão, coordenação de debates sobre terapia ocupacional e trabalho nos principais congressos, eventos e instituições representativas da profissão no país. Conclui-se que a experiência coletiva de pares promoveu uma interlocução entre as universidades espalhadas por todo território nacional, o que é indispensável para promover trocas de experiências, saberes e práticas no campo do trabalho e Terapia Ocupacional

The investigation of WNT6 and WNT10A single nucleotide polymorphisms as potential biomarkers for dental pulp calcification in orthodontic patients

The aim of this study is to evaluate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in WNT6 and WNT10A are associated with the risk of dental pulp calcification in orthodontic patients. This cross-sectional study followed the “Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association Studies” (STREGA) guidelines. Panoramic radiographs (pre- and post-orthodontic treatment) and genomic DNA from 132 orthodontic patients were studied. Dental pulp calcification (pulp stones and/or pulp space narrowing) was recorded in upper and lower first molars. The SNPs in WNT6 and WNT10A (rs7349332, rs3806557, rs10177996, and rs6754599) were assessed through genotyping analysis using DNA extracted from buccal epithelial cells. The association between pulp calcification and SNPs were analyzed using allelic and genotypic distributions and haplotype frequencies (p<0.05). Prevalence of dental pulp calcification was 42.4% in the 490 studied molars. In the genotypic analysis, the SNPs in WNT10A showed a statistically significant value for molar calcification (p = 0.027 for rs1017799), upper molar calcification (p = 0.040 for rs1017799) (recessive model), and molar calcification (p = 0.046 for rs3806557) (recessive model). In the allelic distribution, the allele C of the SNP rs10177996 in WNT10A was associated with molar calcifications (p = 0.042) and with upper first molar calcification (p = 0.035). Nine combinations of haplotypes showed statistically significant value (p<0.05). The findings of this study indicates that SNPs in WNT10A and WNT6 are associated with dental pulp calcification in molars after orthodontic treatment and may be considered as biomarkers for dental pulp calcification

Impact of genetic variations in the WNT family members and RUNX2 on dental and skeletal maturation: a cross-sectional study

Background This study evaluated if genetic variations in the WNT family members and RUNX2 are associated with craniofacial maturation, investigating dental and skeletal maturity in children and teenagers. Methods Radiographs from pre-orthodontic treatment of Brazilian patients (7 to 17 years-old) were used to assess dental (panoramic radiographs) and skeletal maturity (cephalometric radiographs). The chronological age (CA) was calculated based on the date of birth and the time the radiographs were performed. For the dental maturity analysis, the Demirjian (1973) method was used and a delta [dental age - chronological age (DA-CA)] was calculated. For the skeletal maturity analysis, the Baccetti et al. (2005) method was used and the patients were classified as “delayed skeletal maturation”, “advanced skeletal maturation” or “normal skeletal maturation”. DNA isolated from buccal cells was used for genotyping of two genetic variations in WNT family genes: rs708111 (G > A) in WNT3A and rs1533767 (G > A) in WNT11; and two genetic variations in RUNX2: rs1200425 (G > A) and rs59983488 (G > T). A statistical analysis was performed and values of p < 0.05 indicated a significant difference. Results There were no associations between dental maturity and genotypes (p > 0.05). In the skeletal maturity analysis, the allele A in the rs708111 (WNT3A) was statistically more frequent in patients with delayed skeletal maturation (Prevalence Ratio = 1.6; 95% Confidence Interval = 1.00 to 2.54; p-value = 0.042). Conclusions The rs708111 in the WNT3A gene impacts on skeletal maturation