André Ulisses Dantas Batista

In vitro antimicrobial activity of solution blow spun poly(lactic acid)/polyvinylpyrrolidone nanofibers loaded with Copaiba (Copaifera sp.) oil.

In this study poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) micro- and nanofiber mats loaded with Copaiba (Copaifera sp.) oil were produced by solution blow spinning (SBS). The Copaiba (Copaifera sp.) oil was characterized by gas chromatography (GC). Neat PLA and four PLA/PVP blends containing 20% (wt.%) oil were spun and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by studying the surface contact angle, in vitro release rate, and antimicrobial activity. All compositions evaluated were able to produce continuous and smooth fibers by SBS. The addition of PVP increased fiber diameter, and decreased the surface contact angle. GC analysis demonstrated that the main component of the Copaiba oil was β-caryophyllene, a known antimicrobial agent. In vitro release tests of Copaiba oil volatiles demonstrated a higher release rate in fibers containing PVP. Fiber mats made from blends containing higher amounts of PVP had greater antimicrobial action against Staphylococcus aureus. The results confirm the potential of the fiber mats for use in controlled drug release and could lead to promising applications in the biomedical field.

30-Month randomised clinical trial to evaluate the clinical performance of a nanofill and a nanohybrid composite

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical performance of a nanofill and a nanohybrid composite in restorations in occlusal cavities of posterior teeth in a randomised trial over 30 months. METHODS Forty-one adolescents participated in the study. The teeth were restored with a nanofill (Filtek Z350, 3M ESPE), a nanohybrid (Esthet-X, Dentsply); Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) was used as a control. After 30 months, the restorations were evaluated in accordance with the US Public Health Service (USPHS) modified criteria. The McNemar and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis, at a level of significance of 5%. RESULTS There were significant differences in the roughness of Filtek Z250 (p=0.008) and Filtek Z350 (p<0.001) when the four time periods (baseline, 6 months, 12 months and 30 months) were compared. There were significant differences in the marginal adaptation of Filtek Z250 (p=0.001), Filtek Z350 (p<0.001) and Esthet-X (p=0.011). Except for one of each composite restoration, all the modifications ranged from Alpha to Bravo. There were significant differences in the surface roughness (p=0.005) when the three composites were compared after 30 months. CONCLUSIONS The materials investigated showed acceptable clinical performance after 30 months. Long-term re-evaluations are necessary for a more detailed analysis of these composites (CEP: #1252).

Effect of Incorporation of Disinfectant Solutions on Setting Time, Linear Dimensional Stability, and Detail Reproduction in Dental Stone Casts

PURPOSE The aim of this paper was to analyze the influence of incorporation of disinfectants during the cast die stone-setting time. Setting time, linear dimensional stability, and reproduction details on casts were measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS Die stone type IV specimens with disinfection solutions (sodium hypochlorite 1%, glutaraldehyde 2%, chlorhexidine 2%) were incorporated in two concentrations (50%, 100%). The detail reproduction, dimensional stability, and setting time were tested in accordance with ADA recommendations. RESULTS Disinfecting solutions promoted an increase in setting time compared to control; sodium hypochlorite was responsible for the highest setting time. The addition of undiluted sodium hypochlorite 1.0% led to contraction during setting, but the groups with 50% diluted sodium hypochlorite 1.0% and undiluted chlorhexidine 2.0% resulted in intermediate values compared to the other groups, thus matching the control. The others did not demonstrate any effect on expansion. For detail reproduction, it was observed that the control group presented results similar to the others, except those where sodium hypochlorite was added. CONCLUSIONS The addition of sodium hypochlorite in both dilutions significantly altered, negatively, all the evaluated properties. But the addition of glutaraldehyde and chlorhexidine did not promote any significant alterations in the evaluated properties.

Oral Candida species in head and neck cancer patients treated by radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE This paper aimed to identify and quantify Candida on head and neck irradiated patients with two comparative elderly populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Saliva was sampled from 29 head and neck irradiated patients (group 1) 34 non-institutionalized elderly patients (group 2) and 29 institutionalized elders (group 3) and matched by age. For quantification, the obtained saliva was sewed on CHROMagar Candida(®), which was used also for presumptive identification of Candida, API 20C AUX(®), microculture and RAPD (OPE-18) were used for the final identification. RESULTS Among the 92 patients surveyed, 51 (55.4%) had scores classified as positive for Candida, and among individuals of groups 1 and 3, 58.6% had Candida. There was higher positive/carrier conditions (CFU/sample) in groups 1 and 3, comparing with group 2 (P=0.011). Gender was not associated with Candida portability (P=0.334). Candida portability was significantly associated with the presence of candidosis (P=0.031) and xerostomic state (P=0.007). The isolates and definitive confirmed colonies were Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida guilliermondii, Candida lusitaniae, and Candida kefyr. Among the species identified, C. albicans was the most frequent, followed by C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata. C. albicans was more prevalent in group 2 and 3, 45% and 41.2%, respectively, whereas, the most prevalent species in group 1 were C. tropicalis (27%), C. albicans and C. parapsilosis (16.2% for both). On multiple statistical models, only radiotherapic treatment was associated with positiveness to Candida. CONCLUSIONS Diversification and major prevalence of non-albicans species were observed in irradiated patients on head and neck and this treatment is straightly associated with fungus positiveness.

Cognitive impairment, the Mini‐Mental State Examination and socio‐demographic and dental variables in the elderly in Brazil

BACKGROUND Dementia, a syndrome characterised by multiple cognitive impairments, is an increasing medical and social problem across the world. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the instrument most often used in the evaluation of cognitive compromise and dementia in elderly individuals. It is noteworthy that there is a scarcity of works in the literature on the dimensions of the MMSE and its relation to dental variables in the elderly. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the condition of cognitive impairment, the dimensions of the MMSE, and the latters relation to socio-demographic and dental variables in elderly individuals of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, whereby 218 elderly users of the system were evaluated at the Sistema Único de Saúde (Brazilian health service) in Montes Claros. The collection of data involved the realisation of structured interviews and clinical dentistry examinations. The screening of cognitive impairment was carried out with the Portuguese version of MMSE. The data were subjected to descriptive and bivariate analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of cognitive impairment found was 6.4%. A statistically significant association was observed between cognitive decline and age, marital status and use of dental prostheses. An association was also noted between several dimensions of MMSE and edentulism (time orientation, attention and calculation, and final score) and use of prostheses (except evocation memory and language). CONCLUSIONS It was noticed that those who were 80 years old or more, not married and using prostheses were more likely to manifest cognitive impairment. Associations between some MMSE dimensions were established, including the final score, with edentulism and the use of prostheses.

Influence of temporomandibular disorder presence and severity on oral health-related quality of life

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders are highly prevalent and may impair several oral function- related aspects. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of the presence and severity of temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms on oral health-related quality of life. METHODS: Participated in the study 135 dentistry students of the Federal University of Paraiba. The presence of temporomandibular disorder was determined by means of an anamnesis questionnaire and a summarized clinical evaluation protocol. Oral health-related quality of life was determined by the summarized Oral Health Impact Profile version translated and validated for the Portuguese language. Statistical comparisons between Oral Health Impact Profile-14 means related to the presence of temporomandibular disorder signs and symptoms were achieved with Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Volunteers with temporomandibular disorder (p<0.001), needing treatment (p<0.001) and higher severity (p<0.001) had higher impact on oral health-related quality of life. Volunteers with clinical temporomandibular disorder signs had further quality of life impairment, being that individuals with simultaneous muscle and joint temporomandibular disorders (p=0.034) had higher Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores. Most impaired domains were physical pain (p=0.045), functional limitation (p=0.007) and psychological discomfort (p=0.045). CONCLUSION: Temporomandibular disorder severity has negative impact on quality of life, especially in volunteers with simultaneous joint and muscle clinical signs.

Correlação entre sinais e sintomas da Disfunção Temporomandibular (DTM) e severidade da má oclusão

Introduction The role of occlusion as an etiologic factor of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been polemic and still controversial. Objective To evaluate the correlation between signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and severity of malocclusion. Method A total of 135 undergraduate dental students from Federal University of Paraiba were evaluated. The presence of TMD was estimated by Fonsecas Anamnestic Index and objective questions about symptoms were addressed. Students were also submitted to a summarized protocol for clinical evaluation of TMD. The evaluation of occlusal factors was performed using the Treatment Priority Index (TPI) applied to plaster casts corresponding to upper and lower dental arches. The differences between the means of IPT related to signs and symptoms of TMD were determined by t tests and One-way ANOVA. Correlations between occlusal factors and TMD were determined by Pearson correlation. Result According to the TPI, the severity of the malocclusion did not influence the onset of TMD, muscle or joint clinical signs and need for treatment. Class II malocclusion, marked overbite and rotated teeth were statistically correlated with the need for treatment and clinical signs of TMD. Conclusion In multifactor models as in the pathophysiology of TMD, occlusion can play a role as a co-factor in predisposing or perpetuating the different forms of TMD. As such, it should not be considered a major factor.

Fatores Socioeconômicos Associados à Necessidade de Prótese, Condições Odontológicas e Autopercepção de Saúde Bucal em População Idosa Institucionalizada

Objetivo: Identificar a associacao entre fatores socioeconomicos, necessidade de protese dentaria, condicoes odontologicas e autopercepcao de saude bucal em populacao idosa institucionalizada em Joao Pessoa-PB atraves de uma abordagem descritiva. Metodo: Esse estudo, de carater transversal e descritivo, utilizou 43 voluntarios idosos asilados, que foram submetidos a inquerito sociodemografico, indice GOHAI e exames clinicos odontologicos que verificaram condicoes de edentulismo, necessidade e uso de proteses. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente em valores percentuais e absolutos, com analise estatistica realizada pelo teste Exato de Fischer (p<0,05), utilizando-se o programa SPSS versao 13.0. Resultados: Da amostra pesquisada, 81,4% era do genero feminino, com idade media de 75 anos (± 9), sendo a menor idade 60 anos e a maior 94 anos. A maioria da amostra (61,9%) era analfabeta; com renda de um salario minimo (88,1%); 48,8% se consideraram solteiros e 48,8% da amostra nao tiveram filhos. O edentulismo total afetou 62,7% da amostra, sendo que destes, 25,9% possuiam protese total enquanto 74,1% necessitavam de tratamento protetico. Houve relacao estatistica entre o analfabetismo e a nao utilizacao de proteses (p=0,04). O indice GOHAI variou de acordo com condicoes sociodemograficas e condicao bucal. Conclusao: O perfil da amostra avaliada e composta de idosos do genero feminino, incluido no sistema de previdencia, e solteiro, analfabeto, totalmente edentulo, mas nao utiliza protese tendo, portanto necessidade de tratamento, e por fim, uma autopercepcao de saude bucal ruim.

Métodos de reforço microestrutural da hidroxiapatita

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a calcium phosphate of chemical formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, with a molar ratio of Ca /P equal to 1.67. This material has a great importance in bioceramics technology, being the main mineral phase constituent in human teeth and bones. It is used as a substitute for damaged hard tissues, coating of orthopedic prostheses and implants and bone tissue repair. However, low mechanical strength and high brittleness makes its use restricted to low mechanic strength areas. One way of improving these properties is to combine HAp with other materials such as zirconia, alumina, mullite, titanium, bioglass and ions in order to join desirable properties of both materials. This review aims to describe the properties resulting from the formation of different ions and materials. It was observed that most of the approaches currently used for mechanical reinforcement are effective in improving fracture toughness and flexural strength and hardness.It was also found that the effect of titanium ions on such the mechanical behavior of HAp composite materials has not been completely elucidated. The improvement of the mechanical behavior due to the addition of reinforcement is dependent on factors such as sintering temperature, amount of reinforcement used, absence of undesirable structural changes, as well as presence of other phases that are deleterious to the ultimate properties of produced materials.

Prevalência de sinais e sintomas de disfunção temporomandibular em estudantes pré-vestibulandos: associação de fatores emocionais, hábitos parafuncionais e impacto na qualidade de vida

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) signs and symptoms, its correlation with gender, parafunctional habits, emotional stress, anxiety, and depression and its impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQL) in college preparatory students at public and private institutions in João Pessoa, Paraíba (PB). The sample consisted of 303 students. Presence of TMD symptoms was determined by an anamnesis questionnaire containing questions related to the presence of parafunctional habits and emotional stress. A simplified clinical evaluation protocol was used. Anxiety and depression were determined with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale and the OHRQL using the short version contained in the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The Chi-square, Fisher Exact, Mann Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed. Presence of signs and symptoms of TMD was statistically associated (p ≤ 0,05) with female gender, parafunctional habits, emotional stress, and anxiety, and represented greater impairment of the OHRQL. The physical pain domain was the most affected. The increased prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD among college preparatory students indicates that there is a need for education and clarification among teachers and students to improve early diagnosis and to prevent the problem.