Methods for evaluation of masticatory efficiency in conventional complete denture wearers: a systematized review

The objective of this study was to present a systematized review of different methods used to evaluate the masticatory efficiency in conventional complete denture wearers. A survey was conducted in the databases PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane, seeking scientific articles according to the previously selected terms: "Masticatory performance", "Masticatory efficiency" and "Chewing ability complete denture". Moreover, complementary studies have been carried out with library manual search/databases, which included studies related to different ways to assess masticatory efficiency, specifically as it related to conventional complete denture wearers. Forty three papers were selected to be used in the present review. Despite the wide variety of methodologies in the literature, the sieves method is currently considered the gold standard method to evaluation of conventional complete denture wearers masticatory efficiency, since it is the simplest, does not depend on specific devices (beyond the set of sieves), allows for a rational assessment, and it has been widely reproduced in various types of oral rehabilitation. More, the almond, as natural test food, and the optocal (made from the molding material Optosil), as artificial test food, are the most constantly employed test foods to evaluate masticatory efficiency.

Comparative analysis of three rotary instruments used for coronal pre-enlargement in radicular dentin thickness and root canal area of mandibular molars

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the increase of the cervical area and dentin thickness in mesial and distal walls of the mesial canals from mandibular molars after the use of LA Axxess (LA), CP Drill (CP) and Gates-Glidden (GG) rotary instruments. Material and Methods: Sixty root canals from thirty mandibular first molar were sectioned 3 mm below the cement-enamel junction, divided in 3 groups (n = 20 root canals, each) according to rotary instrument used, and the cervical images were captured before and after pre-enlargement instrumentation. The increase of the instrumented cervical area (mm2) and the dentin removal thickness (mm), at mesial and distal walls were calculated using Image tools software, by comparison of images. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (p=0.05). Results: All rotary instruments promoted thickness reduction in dentin walls. In mesial wall, all rotary instruments promoted similar thickness reduction of dentinal wall and did not differ from each other (p>0.05). In distal wall, LA Axxess instrument promoted higher dentin thickness reduction than other groups (p<0.05). The three rotary instruments promoted different increase at the instrumented cervical area (p<0.05), LA promoted the highest increase area and GG and CP presented similar results. Conclusion: LA 20/0.06 promoted the highest thickness reduction in distal wall and increase of cervical area of root canal. On the other hand, CP was the safest instrument, with lower dentin removal of distal wall and similar increased area to GG.

A method for retrieving endodontic or atypical non-endodontic separated instruments from the root canal: a report of two cases

Aim: This clinical report presents a new method for retrieving separated instruments from the root canal with minimally invasive procedures. Background: The presence of separated instrument in root canal may interfere in the endodontic treatment prognosis. There are several recommended methods to retrieve separated instruments, but some are difficult in clinically practice. Case report: This study describes two cases of separated instrument removal from the root canal using a stainless-steel prepared needle associated with a K-file. Case 1 presented a fractured gutta-percha condenser within the mandibular second premolar, it was separated during incorrect intracanal medication calcium hydroxide placement. Case 2 had a fractured sewing needle within the upper central incisor that the patient used to remove food debris from the root canal. After cervical preparation, the fractured instruments were fitted inside a prepared needle and then an endodontic instrument (#25 K-file) was adapted with clockwise turning motion between the needle inner wall and the fragment. Conclusion: The endodontic or atypical nonendodontic separated instrument may be easily pull on of the root canal using a single and low cost device. Clinical significance: The methods for retrieving separated instruments from root canal are difficult and destructive procedures. The present case describes a simple method to solve this problem.

Human identification by means of conventional and digital Cheiloscopy: a study of the literature

One of the areas of human identification is Cheiloscopy, the name given to the study of the lips, their characteristics (such as thickness, position of the grooves and grooves) and the record of the impressions left by them. There are variations in the layout of the lines and fissures of the lips, which are unique to each individual, permanent and unchanging. The lip print rarely changes, enduring minor traumas such as inflammation or sores. In criminal investigations, lip prints, visible through the presence of lipstick, can be found on glasses, napkins, clothes, cigarettes, indicating a relationship between the subject and the scene of the crime. Latent impressions may be revealed employing specific chemicals such as powder of silver and aluminum nitrate. Although it is not a very common method, Cheiloscopy may become very useful in forensics due to the extensive amount of valuable information that it brings. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the use of Cheiloscopy in human identification, using traditional and digital methods. It was found that the literature is still in need of studies in this area. The advent of new digital technologies can facilitate the implementation of technical expertise, generating speed and objectivity. New research studies are necessary, especially in the development of digital methods. The application of Cheiloscopy can greatlyhelp with Law, in the identification of living suspects and dead individuals. In the end the benefit will fall to society as a whole.

The effect of conventional mechanical periodontal treatment on red complex microorganisms and clinical parameters in Down syndrome periodontitis patients: a pilot study

Periodontal disease (PD) is induced by a complex microbiota, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola (together called the red complex), which triggers intense inflammatory reaction. Down syndrome (DS) individuals demonstrate a high prevalence of PD compared with those who are otherwise chromosomally normal (euploids). This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment in DS chronic periodontitis patients on clinical and microbiological parameters. Patients with chronic periodontitis, 23 DS and 12 euploids (control group), were submitted to non-surgical mechanical periodontal treatment, followed by maintenance for 45 days. Clinical parameters after periodontal treatment were similar in diseased and healthy sites, independent of the genetic background. Diseased sites of DS and control patients harbored similar levels of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia at baseline, but significantly higher levels of T. denticola were found in DS patients. Increased levels of P. gingivalis at healthy sites were found in DS individuals. Non-surgical periodontal therapy decreased the levels of red complex microorganisms and improved the tested clinical parameters of diseased sites in both groups. However, the levels of red complex bacteria were higher in diseased sites of DS patients after the periodontal treatment. We conclude in this pilot study that, although the mechanical periodontal treatment seemed to be effective in DS subjects over a short-term period, the red complex bacteria levels did not decrease significantly in diseased sites, as occurred in controls. Therefore, for DS patients, it seems that the conventional non-surgical periodontal therapy should be improved by utilizing adjuvants to reduce the presence of periodontopathogens.

Surface Characteristics of Reciprocating Instruments Before and After Use - A SEM Analysis

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Surgical time and complications of total transvaginal (total-NOTES), single-port laparoscopic-assisted and conventional ovariohysterectomy in bitches

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Conventional and Doppler ultrasonography on a goat with gangrenous mastitis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Single-port retroperitoneal renal biopsy using standard urological instruments

Objective: To describe the surgical technique and initial experience with a single-port retroperitoneal renal biopsy (SPRRB).Materials and Methods: Between January and April 2013, five children underwent SPRRB in our hospital. A single 1.5 cm incision was performed under the 12th rib at mid-axillary line, and an 11 mm trocar was inserted. A nephroscope was used to identify the kidney and dissect the perirenal fat. After lower pole exposure, a laparoscopic biopsy forceps was introduced through the nephroscope working channel to collect a renal tissue sample.Results: SPRRB was successfully performed in five children. The mean operative time was 32 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was less than 10 mL. The hospital stay of all patients was two days because they were discharged in the second postoperative day, after remaining at strict bed rest for 24 hours after the procedure. The average number of glomeruli present in the specimen was 31.Conclusion: SPRRB is a simple, safe and reliable alternative to open and videolaparoscopic approaches to surgical renal biopsy.

Non-conventional cement-based composites reinforced with vegetable fibers: a review of strategies to improve durability

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Nanodisplacement measurements of piezoelectric flextensional actuators using a new interferometry homodyne method

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Agro-ecology as a mediating science between the training of the agronomist and sustainable agriculture

Agro-ecology plays an important role in the implementation of sustainable development, and an agronomist can be a leading agent in the dissemination of that culture. In this perspective, a survey was carried out with the attendants of the course in Agronomy at the Instituto Federal de Educacao, Ciencia e Tecnologia do Mato Grosso, Campus Campo Novo do Parecis, Brazil. The object of the study was to analyze the participation of the academics in agro-ecological activities, seeking to observe the acceptance, perceptions and possible indications of incorporation of these principles in the training. The survey was conducted during the period July-December 2011. The approach was the qualitative method and the instruments used in data collection were participant observation and interviews during the activities. The results revealed the satisfaction of students in engaging in agro-ecological activities: Students developed concepts and incorporated the proposal of agro-ecology throughout the project. The contents of the agronomy course offered at the institution, in the perception of students, is strongly linked to the principles of conventional farming, not fully considering training to meet the challenges, and current and emerging demands of agriculture.

Intraoral fluoride levels after use of conventional and high-fluoride dentifrices

This study aimed to evaluate saliva and plaque as indicators of intraoral fluoride (F) levels after the use of conventional and high-fluoride dentifrices.Subjects were randomly assigned to brush their teeth with conventional (1000 ppm F), high-fluoride (5000 ppm F), and placebo dentifrices (fluoride free) for 10 days, following a double-blind, crossover protocol. Saliva and plaque samples were collected on the morning of the 5(th) and 10th days, respectively at 1 and 12 h after brushing, and analyzed with an ion-selective electrode after HMDS-facilitated diffusion. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA, Tukey's test and Spearman's correlation coefficient (p < 0.05).Plaque and salivary F levels were significantly increased after the use of conventional and high-fluoride dentifrices when compared to values obtained for placebo, except plaque 12 h after the use of conventional dentifrice. A positive and significant correlation was found between fluoride concentrations in plaque and saliva for both times of sample collection.Both indicators assessed were able to detect significant differences among treatments and between times after brushing. The use of a high-fluoride dentifrice is able to significantly increase intraoral fluoride levels throughout the day, being therefore a useful therapy for patients at high caries risk.A dentifrice with high fluoride concentration could be regarded as a useful therapy of F delivery for high caries-risk patients, since intraoral F levels were sustained throughout most of the day after using this formulation.

Conventional and whitening toothpastes: Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and effect on the enamel surface

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Validity of alcohol screening instruments in general population gender studies: an analytical review

The present study is an analytical review of the methodology used in studies of efficacy of screening instruments to detect harmful use/ alcohol dependence according to the gender in population surveys. Systematic review of bibliography was done, using data from Web of Science, Pubmed and PsycInfo. Population studies were included without date range, in English, Spanish or Portuguese languages, with sample of adults, evaluating psychometric characteristics of any alcohol screening instrument, whereas studies in special population or under treatment as well as prevalence of alcohol consumption were excluded. Thirteen studies were selected to be included in the present review. According to the studies, the instruments that presented a better performance among men were AUDIT and its derivatives (6 studies) and CAGE (2 studies), whereas among women, AUDIT and its derivatives (7 studies), followed by CAGE (3 studies). The increase of consumption and problems related to alcohol use and its implications for public health indicate the need and urgency for adequacy of screening instruments to differences of gender in general population. The population surveys in the area are scarce. Furthermore, the found studies present heterogeneous methodology which makes accurate comparisons difficult.