Multidisciplinary therapy of extensive oligodontia: a case report

Oligodontia is a rare congenital disorder consisting in the absence of six or more teeth. This case report describes a multidisciplinary treatment approach for a 12-year-old male with absence of 11 permanent teeth. Prior to any procedure, all primary teeth were scheduled for extraction due to poor crown-to-root ratio. The treatment plan comprised two phases: 1. orthodontic and speech therapy aimed at overbite and anterior open bite adjustment, as well as tongue position improvement; and 2. prosthetic treatment by insertion of removable temporary partial dentures. The multidisciplinary treatment involving orthodontics, speech and prosthetic therapies have reestablished the masticatory function and aesthetics, allowing the patient to achieve greater self-esteem and better social acceptance.Oligodontia is a rare congenital disorder consisting in the absence of six or more teeth. This case report describes a multidisciplinary treatment approach for a 12-year-old male with absence of 11 permanent teeth. Prior to any procedure, all primary teeth were scheduled for extraction due to poor crown-to-root ratio. The treatment plan comprised two phases: 1. orthodontic and speech therapy aimed at overbite and anterior open bite adjustment, as well as tongue position improvement; and 2. prosthetic treatment by insertion of removable temporary partial dentures. The multidisciplinary treatment involving orthodontics, speech and prosthetic therapies have reestablished the masticatory function and aesthetics, allowing the patient to achieve greater self-esteem and better social acceptance242174178A oligodontia é uma doença rara, congênita, caracterizada pela ausência de seis ou mais dentes. Este relato de caso descreve uma abordagem terapêutica multidisciplinar de um adolescente de 12 anos de idade com ausência de 11 dentes permanentes. Antes de qualquer procedimento, todos os dentes decíduos foram extraídos devido à pobre relação coroa-raiz. O plano de tratamento foi constituído por duas fases: 1. terapia ortodôntica e fonoaudiológica com o objetivo de ajuste de sobre-mordida e mordida aberta anterior, bem como melhoria da posição da língua, e 2. tratamento reabilitador protético através da instalação de próteses parciais removíveis provisórias. A abordagem multidisciplinar envolvendo os tratamentos ortodônticos, fonoaudiológico e protético reestabeleceram a função mastigatória e a estética, melhorando a autoestima e aceitação social do pacient

Effects of acids used in the microabrasion technique: microhardness and confocal microscopy analysis

Background: This study evaluated the effects of the acids used in the microabrasion on enamel. Material and Methods: Seventy enamel/dentine blocks (25 mm 2 ) of bovine incisors were divided into 7 groups (n=10). Experimental groups were treated by active/passive application of 35% H 3 PO 4 (E1/E2) or 6.6% HCl (E3/ E4). Control groups were treated by microabrasion with H 3 PO 4 +pumice (C5), HCl+silica (C6), or no treatment (C7). The superficial (SMH) and cross-sectional (CSMH; depths of 10, 25, 50, and 75 μm) microhardness of enamel were analyzed. Morphology was evaluated by confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (Proc Mixed), Tukey, and Dunnet tests (α=5%). Results: Active application (E1 and E3) resulted in higher microhardness than passive application (E2 and E4), with no difference between acids. For most groups, the CSMH decreased as the depth increased. All experimental groups and negative controls (C5 and C6) showed significantly reduced CSMH values compared to the control. A significantly higher mean CSMH result was obtained with the active application of H 3 PO 4 (E1) compared to HCl (E3). Passive application did not result in CSMH differences between acids. CLSM revealed the conditioning pattern for each group. Conclusions: Although the acids displayed an erosive action, use of microabrasive mixture led to less damage to the enamel layer

Influence Of Substratum Position And Acquired Pellicle On Candida Albicans Biofilm.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the substratum position and the saliva acquired pellicle (AP) on Candida albicans biofilm development. Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) disks were fabricated and randomly allocated to experimental groups: HNP (disks placed in a horizontal position and uncoated by pellicle), VNP (disks placed in a vertical position and uncoated by pellicle), HCP (disks placed in a horizontal position and coated by pellicle), and VCP (disks placed in a vertical position and coated by pellicle). Disks were placed in a 24-well plate and a suspension of 107 cells/mL of Candida albicans was added to each well for biofilm development. The plates were aerobically incubated at 35°C. The biofilms were evaluated at 1.5 (adhesion time point), 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The number of viable cells was quantified in terms of the colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Metabolic activity was measured by the XTT assay. The biofilm structure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test, with significance set at 5%. The vertical groups showed less biofilm formation and lower metabolic activity than the horizontal groups (p0.05). It can be concluded that the substratum position influenced biofilm development.27369-7

Salivary pellicles equalise surfaces' charges and modulate the virulence of Candida albicans biofilm

Numerous environmental factors influence the pathogenesis of Candida biofilms and an uderstanding of these is necessary for appropriate clinical management. Aims: To investigate the role of material type, pellicle and stage of biofilm development on the viability, bioactivity, virulence and structure of C. albicans biofilms. Methods: The surface roughness (SR) and surface free energy (SFE) of acrylic and titanium discs was measured. Pellicles of saliva, or saliva supplemented with plasma, were formed on acrylic and titanium discs. Candida albicans biofilms were then generated for 1.5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The cell viability in biofilms was analysed by culture, whilst DNA concentration and the expression of Candida virulence genes (ALS1, ALS3 and HWP1) were evaluated using qPCR. Biofilm metabolic activity was determined using XTT reduction assay, and biofilm structure analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results: Whilst the SR of acrylic and titanium did not significantly differ, the saliva with plasma pellicle increased significantly the total SFE of both surface. The number of viable microorganisms and DNA concentration increased with biofilm development, not differing within materials and pellicles. Biofilms developed on saliva with plasma pellicle surfaces had significantly higher activity after 24 h and this was accompanied with higher expression of virulence genes at all periods. Conclusion: Induction of C. albicans virulence occurs with the presence of plasma proteins in pellicles, throughout biofilm growth. To mitigate such effects, reduction of increased plasmatic exudate, related to chronic inflammatory response, could aid the management of candidal biofilm-related infections

Salivary pellicles equalise surfaces’ charges and modulate the virulence of candida albicans biofilm

Numerous environmental factors influence the pathogenesis of Candida biofilms and an understanding of these is necessary for appropriate clinical management. Aims To investigate the role of material type, pellicle and stage of biofilm development on the viability, bioactivity, virulence and structure of C. albicans biofilms. Methods The surface roughness (SR) and surface free energy (SFE) of acrylic and titanium discs was measured. Pellicles of saliva, or saliva supplemented with plasma, were formed on acrylic and titanium discs. Candida albicans biofilms were then generated for 1.5 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The cell viability in biofilms was analysed by culture, whilst DNA concentration and the expression of Candida virulence genes (ALS1, ALS3 and HWP1) were evaluated using qPCR. Biofilm metabolic activity was determined using XTT reduction assay, and biofilm structure analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results Whilst the SR of acrylic and titanium did not significantly differ, the saliva with plasma pellicle increased significantly the total SFE of both surface. The number of viable microorganisms and DNA concentration increased with biofilm development, not differing within materials and pellicles. Biofilms developed on saliva with plasma pellicle surfaces had significantly higher activity after 24 h and this was accompanied with higher expression of virulence genes at all periods. Conclusion Induction of C. albicans virulence occurs with the presence of plasma proteins in pellicles, throughout biofilm growth. To mitigate such effects, reduction of increased plasmatic exudate, related to chronic inflammatory response, could aid the management of candidal biofilm-related infections66129140COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP007355/2013-002012/07436-

Toxoplasma gondii: I. Avaliação da virulência de oito amostras

In order to evaluate the virulence and pathogenicity of tachyzoites, eight Toxoplasma gondii strains isolated from different animal species and humans - LIV IV, LIV V e S 11 isolated from swine, RH e VPS from humans, AS 28 from mice, HV III from dog and CN from cat - were inoculated in mice and rabbits. All the strains were strongly virulent for mice. Groups of mice inoculated, intraperitonially, with 10(4) tachyzoites died in an average of 6.0 to 7.8 days, after inoculation. The strains isolated more recently, LIV V and HV III (LD50 of 7 and 15 tachyzoites, respectively) were the most virulent. The RH strain showed the lowest virulence, with LD50 of 3160 tachyzoites. The LIV V strain also seems to be most virulent to rabbits.Oito amostras de T. gondii - LIV IV, LIV V e S 11 isoladas de suínos, RH e VPS de seres humanos, AS 28 de camundongo, HV III de cão e CN de gato - foram inoculadas em camundongos suíços albinos e em coelhos com o objetivo de avaliar a virulência e a patogenicidade. As oito amostras apresentaram-se altamente virulentas para camundongos, matando todos os animais que receberam inóculo, via intraperitoneal, de 10(4) taquizoítas, entre 6,0 e 7,8 dias, em média, após a inoculação. As amostras isoladas mais recentemente, LIV V e HV III (DL50 de 7 e 15 taquizoítas, respectivamente) foram as mais virulentas. A amostra RH foi a que apresentou a menor virulência, com DL50 de 3.160 taquizoítas. A amostra LIV V também se mostrou mais virulenta para coelhos, porém, como foram inoculados apenas 2 animais, estudos posteriores devem ser realizados para confirmar este achado

Toxoplasma gondii: II. Tachyzoite antigenic characterization of eigth strains

Oito amostras de T. gondii - LIV IV, LIV V e S 11 isoladas de suínos, RH e VPS de seres humanos, AS 28 de camundongo, HV III de cão e CN de gato - foram analisadas com o objetivo de verificar a existência de possíveis diferenças na resposta imune quando inoculadas em coelhos. Através da técnica de ELISA, não foram constatadas diferenças entre as oito amostras estudadas. Todas as amostras reagiram de forma semelhante com soros homólogos e heterólogos. A suspensão antigênica, constituída de extrato celular total, mostrou-se eficiente no ELISA teste indireto, já que os soros positivos reagiram fortemente e os soros negativos não apresentaram reação contra os antígenos testados. A análise das amostras, pela técnica de Western blot, revelou que os isolados de T. gondii compartilham vários antígenos com algumas variações. Dentre as bandas reconhecidas no Western blot, três foram comuns a todas as amostras: a p33 (33-37 kDa), p54 (52-55 kDa) e a p66 (66 kDa). A amostra HV III, isolada recentemente de um cão, foi a que mais diferiu no perfil antigênico. Essa amostra não apresentou três antígenos (50, 70 e 75 kDa) presentes nas demais amostras. Apenas dois antígenos, um de 62 kDa da CN e outro de 67 kDa da LIV IV, foram amostra-específicos.Eight Toxoplasma gondii strains were analyzed using ELISA and Western blot techniques, in order to demonstrate possible immunological differences. The analyzed strains were: LIV IV, LIV V and S 11 isolated from swine, RH and VPS from a human being, AS 28 from a wild mouse, HV III from a dog and CN from a cat. With the ELISA assay the eight strains showed similar reactivity with homologous and heterologous sera. The antigenic suspension, consisting of total cellular extract of tachyzoites, was effective in the indirect ELISA assay, with the positive sera reacting strongly and the negative not reacting with the antigens. The Western blot analysis showed that the T. gondii strains have similar antigenic profiles with a few variations. Three bands were observed in all strains: one of about 33 kDa (p33), another of 54 kDa (p54) and a third one of 66 kDa (p66). The HV III strain, isolated from a dog, did not show three antigens (50, 70 and 75 kDa) that were present in the others. However, this difference was not detected by the ELISA assay. Only two antigens (62 kDa of the CN and 67 kDa of the LIV IV) were strain-specific antigens

Impacto socioeconômico e ambiental da soca de arroz produzida na microrregião do Rio Formoso, Estado do Tocantins

The rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants are able to generate fertile tillers after harvest. This sprouting, called ratoons, allows a second harvest, which may become a feasible alternative to increase yields in different ecosystems, mainly in low lands, due to its adaptability. As soil tillage and seeding are not required, the ratoon cultivation demands 60% less water and 50% less labor than the main crop. Additionally, it increases the rice production per cultivation area and time as the season is shorter than of the main crop. The success of the ratoon crop is determined by management practices adopted for the main crop, such as seeding date, height of cutting the plants, fertilizer management, seeding and harvesting procedures as well as practices that promote a fast and uniform sprouting, like nitrogen fertilizers, irrigation water management and crop protection. Ratoons represent an alternative to increase production without additional land area and with lower production costs, reducing seasonality of machinery use, increasing yields of tropical low lands with environmental and product quality, improving farmers livelihoods. The regional impacts of ratooning in the lowlands of Rio Formoso microregion of Tocantins State were evaluated in the economic, social and environmental dimensions, considering a period of five years. The economic assessment was based on the economic surplus method, using official production data from 2003 to 2007 and the production costs for irrigated rice in Tocantins State. Ratooning was estimated to be adopted in 20% of cultivated area, generating an economic surplus varying from 2 million reais in season 2002/2003 to 0.3 million reais in season 2006/2007, representing an additional production of 13 thousand tons of paddy in 2003 and 1.2 thousand tons in 2007. The social and environmental assessments were based on the Ambitec-Social and Ambitec-Agro, developed by Embrapa Environment. Rice ratooning in the study area obtained social impact index of 0.43 and an environmental impact index of 0.03.As plantas de arroz (Oryza sativa L.) possuem a capacidade de gerar perfilhos férteis após o corte dos colmos na colheita. Esta brotação, denominada soca, possibilita o segundo cultivo de arroz, o qual pode constituir-se numa alternativa prática para aumentar a produtividade de grãos em muitos agroecossistemas, principalmente em várzeas, visto que esta é a espécie mais adaptada. Sem a necessidade de preparo do solo nem de semeadura, o seu cultivo usa 60% menos água e 50% menos mão-de-obra que a cultura principal. Além disso, é uma prática que aumenta a produção de arroz por unidade de área e de tempo por apresentar menor duração de crescimento que um novo cultivo. O sucesso do aproveitamento da soca é determinado pelas práticas empregadas na cultura principal, tais como: época de plantio, altura do corte das plantas, manejo de fertilizantes, sistema de plantio e colheita, bem como pelas práticas que promovem uma rápida e uniforme brotação como fertilização nitrogenada, manejo de água e tratos fitossanitários. Ênfase deve ser dada na sua importância como uma alternativa para aumentar a produção sem acrescer a área de cultivo e com menor custo de produção, possibilitando reduzir a sazonalidade do uso de máquinas e implementos, aumentar a produtividade das várzeas tropicais com qualidade ambiental e de produção, além de incrementar a renda líquida dos produtores. Os impactos regionais da adoção dessa tecnologia, implantada em várzeas tropicais da microrregião do Rio Formoso, no Estado do Tocantins, foram avaliados nas dimensões econômica, social e ambiental, no período de cinco anos. Para avaliação econômica foi utilizada a metodologia do excedente econômico, utilizando-se dados conjunturais oficiais do período de 2003 a 2007 e do custo de produção do arroz irrigado no Estado do Tocantins. Para o período analisado, a soca foi adotada em 20% da área total cultivada com arroz irrigado e foi estimado um benefício econômico que variou de dois milhões de reais, na safra 2002/2003, para trezentos mil reais, na safra 2006/2007, correspondentes a um adicional de aproximadamente 13 mil toneladas de arroz em casca, em 2003, e 1,2 mil toneladas de arroz em casca, em 2007. Para avaliação social e ambiental utilizou-se o Sistema Ambitec Social e Ambiental, respectivamente, desenvolvido pela Embrapa Meio Ambiente, com obtenção do índice de impacto de 0,43 para a dimensão social e de 0,03 para a dimensão ambienta