Maximum occlusal force and medial mandibular flexure in relation to vertical facial pattern: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Vertical facial pattern may be related to the direction of pull of the masticatory muscles, yet its effect on occlusal force and elastic deformation of the mandible still is unclear. This study tested whether the variation in vertical facial pattern is related to the variation in maximum occlusal force (MOF) and medial mandibular flexure (MMF) in 51 fully-dentate adults. METHODS: Data from cephalometric analysis according to the method of Ricketts were used to divide the subjects into three groups: Dolichofacial (n = 6), Mesofacial (n = 10) and Brachyfacial (n = 35). Bilateral MOF was measured using a cross-arch force transducer placed in the first molar region. For MMF, impressions of the mandibular occlusal surface were made in rest (R) and in maximum opening (O) positions. The impressions were scanned, and reference points were selected on the occlusal surface of the contralateral first molars. MMF was calculated by subtracting the intermolar distance in O from the intermolar distance in R. Data were analysed by ANCOVA (fixed factors: facial pattern, sex; covariate: body mass index (BMI); alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: No significant difference of MOF or MMF was found among the three facial patterns (P = 0.62 and P = 0.72, respectively). BMI was not a significant covariate for MOF or MMF (P > 0.05). Sex was a significant factor only for MOF (P = 0.007); males had higher MOF values than females. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MOF and MMF did not vary as a function of vertical facial pattern in this Brazilian sample

The Impact of Sprint Exercise Training on Vascular Functions in 50-70 y Olds

PURPOSE: Aging is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease due in part to increased oxidative stress and arterial stiffening. Lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, are among the first-line of approach for preventing vascular dysfunction. Exercise training has been shown to foster antioxidant states and improve vascular health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8-weeks of sprint exercise training using inertial loading on vascular health in 50-70 y old. METHODS: Thirty-one apparently healthy middle-aged and older adults (59 ± 5 years, 17 females) participated in the study. The participants performed 15 sprints per training session week 1, 20 sprints per session weeks 2-4 and 30 sprints per session weeks 5-8 with 56s, 41s, and 26s of rest, respectively, between sprints. Training sessions occurred three times per week for 8 weeks. Each sprint consisted of 4s of all-out cycling where the participants accelerated a heavy flywheel from a stationary position to maximal angular velocity. They were instructed to keep pedaling throughout the duration of the 4s to achieve maximal power and cadence. Baseline and post intervention measurements of flow-mediated dilation (FMD; index of endothelium-dependent vasodilation), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI; indicator of arterial stiffness), and arterial blood pressure were made. RESULTS: CAVI decreased significantly following the 8-weeks of inertial load exercise training (2.38%; p=0.048). Additionally, grouping the participants by age or sex did not influence the reduction observed with CAVI. However, FMD and blood pressure did not change significantly (p≥0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 8-weeks of exercise training using an inertial load ergometer decreased arterial stiffness in men and women 50-70 y. Future studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this type of exercise intervention in clinical populations to improve vascular function

Apoptotic cell death and its relationship to gastric carcinogenesis

AIM: To investigate the apoptotic process of cells within the intestinal metaplasia areas co-localizing with chronic gastritis and gastric carcinomas and to analyze the involvement of proteins regulating apoptosis in the process of intestinal metaplasia related gastric carcinogenesis