pH-cycling models for in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices for caries control: strengths and limitations

Despite a plethora of in situ studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices on caries control, in vitro pH cycling models are still broadly used because they mimic the dynamics of mineral loss and gain involved in caries formation. This paper critically reviews the current literature on existing pH-cycling models for the in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices for caries control, focusing on their strengths and limitations. A search was undertaken in the MEDLINE electronic journal database using the keywords "pH-cycling", "demineralization", "remineralization", "in vitro", "fluoride", "dentifrice". The primary outcome was the decrease of demineralization or the increase of remineralization as measured by different methods (e. g.: transverse microradiography) or tooth fluoride uptake. Inclusion of studies, data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken independently and in duplicate by two members of the review team. Disagreements were solved by discussion and consensus or by a third party. One hundred and sixteen studies were included, of which 42 addressed specifically the comparison of dentifrices using different pH-cycling models. The other studies included meta-analysis or reviews, data about the effect of different fluoride sources on de-remineralization, different methods for analysis de-remineralization and chemical variables and characteristics of dental hard tissues that might have influence on de-remineralization processes. Generally, the studies presented ability to detect known results established by clinical trials, to demonstrate dose-related responses in the fluoride content of the dentifrices, and to provide repeatability and reproducibility between tests. In order to accomplish these features satisfactorily, it is mandatory to take into account the type of substrate and baseline artificial lesion, as well as the adequate response variables and statistical approaches to be used. This critical review of literature showed that the currently available pH-cycling models are appropriate to detect dose-response and pH-response of fluoride dentifrices, and to evaluate the impact of new active principles on the effect of fluoridated dentifrices, as well as their association with other anti-caries treatments.

Evaluation of the RB-RB/LB-LB mnemonic rule for recording optimally projected intraoral images of dental implants: an in vitro study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate a simple mnemonic rule (the RB-RB/LB-LB rule) for recording intra-oral radiographs with optimal projection for the control of dental implants.Methods: 30 third-year dental students received a short lesson in the RB-RB/LB-LB mnemonic rule. The rule is as follows: if right blur then raise beam (RB-RB), i.e. if implant threads are blurred at the right side of the implant, the X-ray beam direction must be raised towards the ceiling to obtain sharp threads on both implant sides; if left blur then lower beam (LB-LB), i.e. if implant threads are blurred at the left side of the implant, the X-ray beam direction must be lowered towards the floor to obtain sharp threads on both implant sides. Intra-oral radiographs of four screw-type implants placed with different inclination in a Frasaco upper or lower jaw dental model (Frasaco GmbH, Tettnang, Germany) were recorded. The students were unaware of the inclination of the implants and were instructed to re-expose each implant, implementing the mnemonic rule, until an image of the implant with acceptable quality (subjectively judged by the instructor) was obtained. Subsequently, each radiograph was blindly assessed with respect to sharpness of the implant threads and assigned to one of four quality categories: (1) perfect, (2) not perfect, but clinically acceptable, (3) not acceptable and (4) hopeless.Results: For all implants, from one non-perfect exposure to the following, a higher score was obtained in 64% of the cases, 28% received the same score and 8% obtained a lower score. Only a small variation was observed among exposures of implants with different inclination. on average, two exposures per implant (range: one to eight exposures) were needed to obtain a clinically acceptable image.Conclusion: The RB-RB/LB-LB mnemonic rule for recording intra-oral radiographs of dental implants with a correct projection was easy to implement by inexperienced examiners. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2012) 41, 298-304. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/20861598

A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of reports of clinical trials published in six Brazilian dental journals indexed in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO)

Introduction: Open access publishing is becoming increasingly popular within the biomedical sciences. SciELO, the Scientific Electronic Library Online, is a digital library covering a selected collection of Brazilian scientific journals many of which provide open access to full-text articles. This library includes a number of dental journals some of which may include reports of clinical trials in English, Portuguese and/or Spanish. Thus, SciELO could play an important role as a source of evidence for dental healthcare interventions especially if it yields a sizeable number of high quality reports. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify reports of clinical trials by handsearching of dental journals that are accessible through SciELO, and to assess the overall quality of these reports. Material and methods: Electronic versions of six Brazilian dental Journals indexed in SciELO were handsearched at www.scielo.br in September 2008. Reports of clinical trials were identified and classified as controlled clinical trials (CCTs - prospective, experimental studies comparing 2 or more healthcare interventions in human beings) or randomized controlled trials (RCTs - a random allocation method is clearly reported), according to Cochrane eligibility criteria. Criteria to assess methodological quality included: method of randomization, concealment of treatment allocation, blinded outcome assessment, handling of withdrawals and losses and whether an intention-to-treat analysis had been carried out. Results: The search retrieved 33 CCTs and 43 RCTs. A majority of the reports provided no description of either the method of randomization (75.3%) or concealment of the allocation sequence (84.2%). Participants and outcome assessors were reported as blinded in only 31.2% of the reports. Withdrawals and losses were only clearly described in 6.5% of the reports and none mentioned an intention-to-treat analysis or any similar procedure. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that a substantial number of reports of trials and systematic reviews are available in the dental journals listed in SciELO, and that these could provide valuable evidence for clinical decision making. However, it is clear that the quality of a number of these reports is of some concern and that improvement in the conduct and reporting of these trials could be achieved if authors adhered to internationally accepted guidelines, e. g. the CONSORT statement.

Evaluation of Ultrasonic and ErCr:YSGG Laser Retrograde Cavity Preparation

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

Evaluation of new red winemaking technologies through consumer liking

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of Staining Methods for Cytologic Diagnosis of Oral Lesions

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of Papanicolaou, hematoxylin-eosin (H-E), Leishman and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining for Cytologic diagnosis of oral lesions.Study DesignPatients from the Discipline of Stomatology, Sao Jose dos Campos Dental School, from the wards of Hospital Heliopolis and from the dentistry outpatient clinic of the University Hospital, University of São Paulo Medical School, with the following diseases, were selected: erythematous candidiasis (n = 9), pseudomembranous candidiasis (n = 10), squamous cell carcinoma In = 19), herpes simplex (n = 8), paracoccidioidomycosis In = 8) and pemphigus vulgaris (n = 1).ResultsThe different staining methods were compared regarding the quality of definition of cytoplasmic and nuclear morphologic characteristics and the identification of bacteria, fungi, inflammatory cells and secretions. Papanicolaou and H-E staining were considered better methods. In cases of fungal infections, PAS staining is useful and should be applied as a complementary method.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the cytologic diagnosis of oral lesions along with different staining methods is a useful tool for oral diagnosis. (Acta Cytol 2008;52:697-701)

Microtensile bond strengths and scanning electron microscopic evaluation of self-adhesive and self-etch resin cements to intact and etched enamel

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

Effect of orthognathic surgery for class III correction on quality of life as measured by SF-36

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with Angle's class III malocclusion submitted to orthognathic surgery. Twenty-nine patients of both sexes, ranging in age from 17 to 46 years, with Angle's class III malocclusion and indication for surgical treatment, were evaluated about 30 days before surgery and 6 months postoperatively. Surgery consisted of maxillary advancement or mandibular retrusion, or both. The generic SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the following eight domains: functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general health status, mental health, emotional aspects, social aspects and vitality. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used to determine possible interactions between timing of evaluation, gender and type of surgery. With respect to physical and social aspects, a significant difference in outcomes was observed, with mean scores being higher after surgery regardless of gender or type of surgery. Regarding emotional aspects, an interaction effect was observed for timing and gender, with higher mean scores only being obtained for females after Surgery. Orthognathic Surgery had a positive impact on the quality of life of both male and female patients, improving physical and social aspects, and on that of female patients, improving emotional aspects.

Hydrochemical evaluation of different spring waters for bottling

This investigation was carried out within the Parana sedimentary basin in São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul States, Brazil, and involved the sampling of different spring water samples with the purpose of evaluating their quality for bottling Several methods were utilized for acquiring the hydrochemical data, such as methyl orange end-point titration, potentiometry, ion selective electrodes, spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry The results obtained for the analyzed samples were compared with the guideline values established by the São Paulo State and Brazilian Health Ministry legislations for defining the potable water standards The Brazilian Code for Mineral Waters that was established by Register 7841 published on 8 August 1945 was also taken into account for verifying if the spring waters are mineralized The hydrochemical data allowed the identification of anthropogenic and geogenic inputs of some constituents in most of the samples, which affected the water quality and did not allow them to be utilized for commercial purposes (bottling) The waters of these springs can only become appropriate for human consumption after previous chemical treatment

Evaluation of guava during different phases of the industrial processing

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

Evaluation and Application of TS-FF-AAS System Using Ceramic Tube as Atomization Cell for Tin Determination in Canned Foods

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

A multimetric index based on fish fauna for the evaluation of the biotic integrity of streams at a mesohabitat scale

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

Evaluation of pre-natal care from the perspective of different models in primary care

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a qualidade do cuidado pré-natal desenvolvido na atenção primária, comparando os modelos tradicional e Estratégia Saúde da Família. MÉTODO: estudo de avaliação de serviço, pautado nas políticas públicas de saúde. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista com gerentes, observação nas unidades de saúde e análise de prontuários de gestantes, selecionados aleatoriamente. Diferenças nos indicadores de estrutura e processo foram avaliadas pelo teste qui-quadrado, adotando-se p<0,05 como nível crítico, cálculo dos odds ratio e intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: foram evidenciadas estruturas semelhantes em ambos os modelos de atenção. Indicadores-síntese de processo, criados neste estudo, e os indicados pelas políticas públicas apontaram situação mais favorável nas Unidades de Saúde da Família. Para o conjunto de atividades preconizadas para o pré-natal, o desempenho foi deficiente em ambos os modelos, embora pouco melhor nas Unidades de Saúde da Família. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados indicam a necessidade de ações para melhoria da atenção pré-natal nos dois modelos de atenção básica no município avaliado.

Relation between quality and rheological properties of lactic beverages

The physicochemical (pH, fat and total solids content), sensory (appearance, consistency and taste), and rheological characteristics of five different commercial brands of lactic beverages were determined. Rheological measurements were obtained at 5 degreesC and 25 degreesC using a Brookfield rheometer. The experimental data were described by the power law and Herschel-Bulkley models. The ANOVA of the results were conducted using an incomplete block design, and using Tukey test. Samples showed a significant difference (P less than or equal to 0.05%) for fat content and pH. There was a significant difference in total solids content only among Nestle (A), Batavo (C), and Parmalat (D) samples. Sensory evaluation showed more global acceptability for Nestle; however, Nestle and Vigor (E) lactic beverages obtained better results for appearance than for consistency and taste. Batavo obtained the best score for taste. All test samples exhibited non-Newtonian behavior, with thixotropy. Upward curves showed pseudoplastic behavior, while downward curves showed dilatant behavior with the exception of the Nestle sample, at 25 degreesC. Lactic beverages from all brands analyzed showed similar rheological behavior. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the performance of pharmacists in terms of providing health assistance at a university hospital

OBJETIVE: This study aimed to assess the practices of pharmacists in Hospital Care. Method - we interviewed 20 pharmacists from the Pharmacy Division by applying a structured instrument, in September 2005. This instrument addressed aspects related to the main activities at the Hospital Pharmacy, which were assessed according to indicators organized into five areas: sector management, hospital pharmacotechniques, committee activities, information and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up, as well as teaching and research activities.RESULTS: the Pharmacy Division considered all structural aspects under analysis as essential for the good development and application of its services. We found that some essential services, such as the Medication Information Service and Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up, were absent. Pharmacist professionals were dissatisfied about human resource and physical structure dimensioning, and they presented as not very active in terms of Pharmaceutical Care.CONCLUSION: Results indicate that care is still centered on the drug, with few clinical activities. We suggest reformulations in service management, particularly in the management of pharmacists.