Evolution of the phase-space density and the Jeans scale for dark matter derived from the Vlasov-Einstein equation

We discuss solutions of Vlasov-Einstein equation for collisionless dark matter particles in the context of a flat Friedmann universe. We show that, after decoupling from the primordial plasma, the dark matter phase-space density indicator Q remains constant during the expansion of the universe, prior to structure formation. This well known result is valid for non-relativistic particles and is not "observer dependent" as in solutions derived from the Vlasov-Poisson system. In the linear regime, the inclusion of velocity dispersion effects permits to define a physical Jeans length for collisionless matter as function of the primordial phase-space density indicator: \lambda_J = (5\pi/G)^(1/2)Q^(-1/3)\rho_dm^(-1/6). The comoving Jeans wavenumber at matter-radiation equality is smaller by a factor of 2-3 than the comoving wavenumber due to free-streaming, contributing to the cut-off of the density fluctuation power spectrum at the lowest scales. We discuss the physical differences between these two scales. For dark matter particles of mass equal to 200 GeV, the derived Jeans mass is 4.3 x 10^(-6) solar masses.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in JCA

Photobiomodulation laser therapy in a Lenvatinib-related osteonecrosis of the jaw : a case report

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious adverse drug reaction often presenting as a post-surgery complication that may interfere in the quality of the patient?s life. In the last decade, additionally to bisphosphonates, other dru

Treatment of snoring disorder with a non-ablactive Er:YAG laser dual mode protocol : an interventional study

Snoring disorder is a common problem among world population. Treatment modalities may involve surgical and non-surgical procedures. As main objective we proposed to evaluate the efficacy of non-ablative Er:YAG laser in the treatment of snoring disorder. We performed an interventional study in 30 patients with snoring disorders. Three sessions were performed with Er:YAG laser 2940nm in long pulse mode (2J/cm2) and smooth mode (10-8J/cm2) in oropharynx region. We analyzed the efficacy of this protocol using questionnaires for snoring intensity, snoring related characteristics of quality of life (including the Epworth sleepness scale and OHIP-14), the satisfaction of the patients and existence of adverse effects comparing the results before and after the treatment using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. There was a 96.7% satisfaction rate after one month of treatment, and 96.4% after 6 months. A reduction of the severity of snoring from 8±1.9 before the treatment to 1.6±1.1 one month after treatment was observed (p<0.001). Decrease in mean values of Epworth sleepness scale (9.97±5.3 to 6.54±4.3) (p=0.002), and OHIP-14 score (10.9±6.2 to 5.9±5) (p<0.001) were also noted. A significant decrease in the Mallampatti and Friedman classification scores were observed (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). No anesthesia was required, nor adverse effects were observed. Non-ablative Er:YAG laser treatment is a safe, painless, and can be an effective treatment option to reduce snoring and is well accepted by the patient. However, further controlled studies with longer follow-up are required

Full-mouth periodontal examination prior to and after nonsurgical treatment in chronic periodontitis patients.

Chronic periodontitis is a pathological condition characterized by loss of the supporting tissues of the teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of disease sites in different areas of mouth, prior to and following short-term nonsurgical treatment, as well as the successful of treatment. Periodontal parameters, including Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) and Bleeding on Probing (BOP) were recorded in each six surfaces per tooth (mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, lingual and distolingual), in all mouth teeth of patients with chronic periodontitis, prior to and following nonsurgical periodontal therapy. In total, 374 disease sites (PPD ≥ 4mm) were found and constituted the sample population of this study. The prevalence of disease sites was higher at mandibular arch, in molars, and at interproximal tooth surfaces, both prior to and afte treatment. There was a trend to be more prevalent on the right side of the mouth. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy resulted in a statistically significant decrease in PPD, CAL and in the percentage of BOP sites, even though with a similar pattern of disease distribution after treatment. Following treatment, molars had significantly higher PPD and CAL than other teeth. We conclude that it isimportant to take particular attention to specific sites in the mouth during management of patients with chronic periodontitis and that short-term nonsurgical treatment is effective in mild/moderate periodontal pockets

Study of prevalence, severity and risk factors of periodontal disease in a Portuguese population

Periodontal disease is a common worldwide oral inflammation/infection affecting tissues that surround and support teeth. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, extent and severity of periodontal diseases and its risk factors, according to the most recent periodontal classification, in an adult population of Northern Portugal. This observational study collected data from clinical records of patients who attended the University Clinic of Gandra between April 2021 and April 2022. Of a total of 941 patients included, 457 (48.6%) had periodontitis, 253 (26.9%) had gingivitis and the remaining 231 (24.5%) were healthy patients. The prevalence of stage III severe periodontitis was 51.2%, more prevalent in males, and in the age group of 61–70 years. Gingivitis was more prevalent in females, and in the age group of 31–40 years; in both diseases, the most prevalent extension was the generalized one. Using a binary logistic regression, we observe a significant relation of the risk of periodontitis with age (p = 0.019; OR 1.033; 95% CI 1.005–1.062), tooth brushing (p = 0.002; OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.105–0.599) and dental flossing (p = 0.015; OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.09–0.768). This study revealed a high prevalence of periodontitis. Increased age, lack of tooth brushing and flossing were identified as potential risk factors for periodontitis in the investigated Portuguese population.This research was funded by Instituto Universitário de Ciencias da Saúde (CESPU) and by CESPU Diagnóstico. The participation of Marta Relvas was funded by the project grant AMDNCPD_PI2RL_IINFACTS_2021 and Luis Monteiro by the project grant IPO2021_PI2RL_IINFACTS_2021 from CESPU University

Oral soft tissue biopsies in Oporto, Portugal: an eight year retrospective analysis

Background: The diseases that affect the oral cavity are wide and diverse, comprising a broad spectrum of either benign or malignant lesions. However, few histological-based studies were performed for the evaluation of oral cavity lesions, and very few directed to oral soft tissue pathology. The aim of this study was to carry out pioneering research, within a Portuguese population, to determine the frequency and characteristics of oral malignancies, po - tential malignant disorders, and soft benign tissues pathologies submitted for biopsy in a north Portugal (Oporto) hospital population. Material and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of soft tissue, oral cavity biopsies, in a hospital north of Portugal (Oporto) between 1999 and 2006. We analysed information on gender, age, location of the lesion, and the histopathological diagnosis. Results: A total of 1042 oral biopsies were observed, 557(53.5%) in females and 485 (46.5%) in males, with a mean age of 51.7 years (S.D. ±17.6). The topographic location most frequently affected was labial mucosa (n=306). Considering the nature of the lesions, 700 (67.2%) corresponded to non-neoplasic lesions, 45 (4.3%) to potentially malignant disorders, and 297 (28.5%) to neoplasms (93 benign and 204 malignant). Non-neoplasic lesions were more prevalent in female gender (59.9%) when compared with potentially malignant disorders (46.7%) and neoplasms (39.4%) ( P < 0.001). Non-neoplasic lesions presented the lower mean age (49.2±17.6) and potentially malignant di - sorders the highest mean age (60.5±14.5) ( P < 0.001). The most common lesion of entire sample was fibro-epithelial hyperplasia (n=186; 17.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n=158; 15.1%). Conclusions: Fibro-epithelial hyperplasia, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, was the most common pathologies. This pioneering study provided, for the first time, data about the proportion of squamous cell carcinoma when compared with benign conditions in a Portuguese hospital population

Entre o global e o local – uma abordagem metodológica para avaliar um programa de cooperação para o desenvolvimento na área da educação na Guiné-Bissau

Esta comunicação visa discutir a metodologia a adotar numa investigação de doutoramento em curso na Guiné-Bissau, que pretende avaliar o impacto e os efeitos do PASEG, promovido pela cooperação portuguesa, nas escolas onde interveio, na Guiné-Bissau. Serão também discutidos alguns dados preliminares. Para esta investigação selecionou-se uma abordagem metodológica mista, isto é, quantiqualitativa, utilizando o estudo de caso como opção metodológica (Stake, 2009), com base no paradigma compreensivo de Stake (2004). Utilizar-se-á o modelo respondente do mesmo autor realizando três estudos empíricos, para desta forma alcançar um olhar geral e um olhar focado sobre o impacto e efeitos do PASEG. O referido Programa parece conjugar uma série de características muito peculiares, que parecem proporcionar um interesse adicional à investigação.This paper intends to discuss the methodology to be adopted regarding a current doctoral research on Guinea-Bissau, aiming to evaluate the impact and effects of the PASEG which was promoted by Portuguese aid in local schools in Guinea-Bissau. The methodology selected is quanti-qualitative, using a case-study approach. Drawing on Stake (2004) comprehensive paradigm, the research will use the responsive evaluation and will be organized in two different phases leading to three empirical studies in order to obtain both a more general view and a more focused one concerning the impact and effects of PASEG. PASEG seems to present a set of very specific features that appears as an additional interest to the research project. We also will discuss some preliminary data

A histological evaluation of the surgical margins from human oral fibrous-epithelial lesions excised with CO2 laser, Diode laser, Er:YAG laser, Nd:YAG laser, electrosurgical scalpel and cold scalpel

We aim to evaluate the presence of histological artefacts in the surgical margins of human oral fibro-epithelial hyperplasias excised with lasers of different wavelengths, and also electrosurgical scalpel and cold scalpel. Moreover, we aim to determine if some of these instruments could impair the normal histological diagnosis of these lesions. We included 130 consecutive surgical samples of 80 females and 50 males (mean age of 53.82±16.55) with a histological diagnosis of an oral benign fibrous-epithelial hyperplasias. The samples were categorized into 6 groups according to the type of instrument used: CO2 laser group, diode laser group, Er:YAG laser group, Nd:YAG laser group, electrosurgical scalpel group and cold scalpel group. Histological instrument-induced changes were microscopic evaluated and related with clinical and pathological variables. The instrument with highest tissue damage extension (TDE) was the electrosurgical scalpel (1002.2µm±434.92), followed by diode laser (913.73 µm±322.45), Nd:YAG (899.83µm±327.75), CO2 laser (538.37µm±170.50), Er:YAG laser (166.47µm±123.85), and at last with fewer alterations the cold scalpel group (2.36µm±7.27) (P< 0.001). The most regular incision was observed in CO2 laser group, followed by Er:YAG laser, Nd:YAG laser, electrosurgical scalpel and diode laser group with the less regular incision using cold scalpel as comparison (P< 0.001). A correlation was found between the incision score and TDE (P< 0.001). Regarding histological diagnosis, no case showed any limitation of diagnosis related with the use of any instrument evaluated. Our results suggest that lasers can be used for the excision of oral benign fibrous-epithelial hyperplasias, without hispathological diagnosis limitations, as long as the physical properties of each laser are known and respected. Er:YAG laser have shown to be a laser with few tissue damage extension and with good incision regularity, been a possible instrument of choice for the surgical removal of these lesions

A sample of non-nutritive sucking habits (pacifier and digit) in portuguese children and its relation with the molar classes of angle

Little is known about the effect of non-nutritive sucking habits (pacifier and digital sucking) in the prevalence of molar Class in mixed dentition. The aim of this study was determinate the relation between non-nutritive sucking habits, and Angle´s molar Class, in the horizontal plane, and it´s relation with gender. A convenience sample of 326 children with ages between 6 and 12 years was selected from three schools of Oporto. To collect the epidemiologic data, was used a method recommended by the WHO. An indirect questionnaire about the medical history, dental habits, was used. It was adapted from Sanchez-Molins and validated by Clinical Dental III of Integrated Dental University Institute Health Sciences, Gandra, Portugal. In this study, 326 infants were examined in order to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits. Only 45 observed children did not mentioned any kind of non-nutritive sucking habit; the remaining 281 children mentioned at least one potential bad habit. Children with non-nutritive sucking habits show a higher molar Class II percentage in females, while molar Class III is more frequent among males compared with children with no sucking habits. Children with non-nutritive sucking habits, presented a higher-Class II prevalence with statistically significance. It was detected a direct relationship between Angle´s molar Class and gender

Clinical improvement following therapy for periodontitis: Association with a decrease in IL-1 and IL-6

Although a number of inflammatory cytokines have been shown to be associated with periodontal pathogenesis, it is important to investigate further whether these biomarkers are associated with the degree of success in nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to quantify the total levels of interleukin (IL)‑1α, ‑1β, ‑6, ‑10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‑α in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of chronic periodontitis patients prior to and following nonsurgical periodontal therapy. In total, 52 GCF samples from disease sites of patients with chronic periodontitis, prior to and following periodontal therapy, and ten non‑disease sites from non‑periodontitis subjects, were collected and cytokine concentrations were determined using a multiplex method. Periodontal parameters, including bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and the clinical attachment level, in all the sites were recorded. Untreated disease sites exhibited higher cytokine levels in the GCF when compared with the non‑disease sites. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the total levels of IL‑1α, ‑1β and ‑6 in the GCF, but not in IL‑10 or TNF‑α. The results support the hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines, including IL‑1α, IL‑1β and IL‑6, are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and are good markers to evaluate the success of nonsurgical therapy in disease sites of patients with periodontitis.The study was supported by a grant from the Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Portugal (no. 06‑GCD‑CICS‑09)