NESTLING BEHAVIOR and PARENTAL CARE of THE COMMON POTOO (NYCTIBIUS GRISEUS) IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

We recorded and quantified the nocturnal activity and parental care of a brooding Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) using an infrared camera in southeastern Brazil. Parents alternated care of the nestling and decreased their presence as the nestling grew. Nestling feeding on passing insects while sitting on the nest, movements on the nest, wing exercising, preening, and defecating were recorded primarily while it was alone. The frequency of begging calls per hour was higher when the nestling was accompanied by one of the parents. Nocturnal recordings of this species on the nest revealed behaviors that were not cited in past studies, including: feedings bouts on passing flies performed by the nestling and adults, nestling defecation, and nestling plumage maintenance. The well-known plus newly quantified behaviors of the Common Potoo reinforce their value to survival during the long nestling period. Received 24 May 2010. Accepted 14 September 2010.

Experiences of family members regarding the oral health care of children

Este estudo objetivou verificar a compreensão das experiências dos familiares em relação ao cuidado com a saúde bucal das crianças. É estudo qualitativo, realizado em 2007, em distrito de saúde do município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, com 12 cuidadores. Utilizou-se referencial teórico da vulnerabilidade e a perspectiva hermenêutica. Três categorias empíricas foram elaboradas: os significados do cuidado com a saúde bucal, em busca das causas e da prevenção de agravos bucais e a realidade dos serviços de saúde bucal. Entre outros elementos potencializadores da vulnerabilidade infantil aos agravos bucais, emergiu a supervalorização da causalidade biológica, do atendimento de alta complexidade e da odontologia estética e, entre os protetores, a valorização do saber popular e a integração de ações e conhecimentos profissionais. Aponta-se para a revisão das estratégias de prevenção e promoção de saúde bucal, fornecendo elementos para auxiliar os serviços de saúde a reorganizarem o cuidado com a saúde bucal de crianças.

Ultrastructural and morphometric aspects of ageing in the retinal capillaries of rats

Age-related morphological, ultrastructural and morphometric changes in the capillaries of the superficial and deep plexuses of the rat retina were studied in animals aged from 3 to 15 months. Our results suggest that age-related morphological alterations start occurring in the retina of rats at about 12 months of age. Increased glycogen deposits, pinocytotic vesicles, residual bodies and cell debris were observed in both the endothelial and pericytic cells of 12- and 15-month-old animals. In addition, heterogeneous osmiophilic accumulations, electron-transparent spaces were observed in the basement membrane as well as projections of the basement membrane towards the neighboring cells. Morphometric examination of the two vascular plexuses studied did not show differences in the area of the endothelial or pericytic cells, basement membrane or vascular lumen between rats of different ages.

Edentulous patients' knowledge of dental hygiene and care of prostheses

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse denture users' oral care habits with regard to the use of their prostheses. Background: Rehabilitative treatment is only successful when patients are motivated and aware of correct prosthesis use and hygiene. Materials and methods: Questionnaires were distributed to 150 complete denture users at the Federal University of Bahia School of Dentistry, the Esmeralda Natividade Health Center, the Bahian Science Development Foundation and a Salvador nursing home. The questionnaire included information on gender, age, length of prosthesis use, cleaning methods and materials, etc. The data were analysed using EpiInfo version 6 software. The chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Questionnaire results showed that 78% of the subjects, with an average age of 67.3 years, had used the same complete denture for over 5 years. 64% slept with their prostheses and 44% removed them from the mouth only for cleaning. None of the patients interviewed knew anything about brushes designed specifically for complete dentures. 37.3% had a restricted diet and 44% believed that a complete denture would last for more than 10 years. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the edentulous patients surveyed had limited awareness of prosthetic hygiene and long-term oral care despite extended periods of denture use. © 2008 The Authors.

Longitudinal behavioral analysis during dental care of children aged 0 to 3 years

Abstract: When and how the dentist intervenes have repercussions on children's physical and emotional patterns. The objective of the present study was to conduct a longitudinal behavioral analysis during dental care of babies aged 0 to 3 years. A total of 216 patients seen at the Baby Clinic of the School of Dentistry at Araçatuba, São Paulo State University (UNESP), were selected. The selection criterion was attendance at ten dental care sessions at bimonthly intervals for routine procedures such as clinical examination and oral hygiene. There was a predominance of cooperative behavior compared to uncooperative behavior when each visit was analyzed separately. The behavior of the patients must have been directly influenced by their psychomotor development. Constant attendance and exposure of the baby to non-stressful dental stimuli are factors that favor a cooperative behavior.