Orlando Ayrton de Toledo

Dental caries in children that participated in a dental program providing mother and child care

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries in children that participate in a dental program attending mothers and children in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. A selection was made of 343 children of both genders, from 3 to 6 years of age. The mothers answered questionnaires and children were examined at the Infant Dental Clinic of the Federal University of Piauí. The epidemiological index dmft was applied and active white spot lesions were included. The SPSS for Windows program, version 11.1 was used and non-parametric tests carried out (Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis). An alpha error of 5% (0.05) was considered for the null hypothesis of false rejection, with a confidence interval of 95%. The results showed that 57.5% (197) of the children were breast-fed for a period longer than 12 months. The mean dmft index and percentages of caries-free children at the age of 3 was 1.86 (58.82%); at 4 years of age 1.94 (57.60%); at 5 years of age 1.98 (56.86%) and at 6 years of age 2.42 (42.55%). The decay component (d) was prevalent at all ages. When active white spot lesions were added to the dmft index, there was an increase of 7.2% for children who had caries activity and/or previous caries experience and 2.61% for those with dmft equal to zero. The daily consumption of fermentable carbohydrates and free demand breast-feeding were factors increasing caries activity. Dental follow-up after the program and the number of daily brushings were shown to be factors providing protection against caries . Based on the results, the authors were able to conclude that the program caused a positive impact on caries disease control, as the number of dental appointments kept influenced the dmft index values in a statistically significant manner.

Conhecimentos e práticas em saúde bucal de mães que freqüentaram um programa odontológico de atenção materno-infantil

This study assesses the assimilation of knowledge and preventive practices in oral health among the mothers of children assisted by a mother-child dental care program. The Preventive Program for Pregnant Mothers and Babies (PPPMB) is an extension project run by the Piaui Federal University (UFPI), whose goal is to make pregnant women and mothers of children from zero to 36 months old more concerned about habits fostering oral health. After a random selection of clinical record cards for children who had participated in this Program, letters were sent to their mothers. Feedback was received from 281 mothers, who responded through interviews that included questions on matters addressed by the Program. The findings indicate that mothers attending this Program were properly informed, adopting hygienic practices in their families that underpin the control and prevention of oral diseases.

Prevalência de fluorose dentária em escolares de Brasília - Distrito Federal

An epidemiologic study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in Brasilia - Federal District, a community where fluoride concentration is 0.8 ppm in drinking water. The sample consisted of 833 school children of both sexes, aged between 8 and 12, who have been living in Brasilia since birth. The anterior upper permanent teeth were examined and HOROWITZ fluorosis index was applied to evaluate pathological occurrences. No sex differences were observed in dental fluorosis prevalence. The authors found a high number of dental fluorosis free children (85.36%) and 14.64% of the sample showed light and moderate levels of fluorosis.

Prevalence of dental caries in children born prematurely or at full term

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries in 192 children, 96 born prematurely and 96 at full term, in a regional hospital in Brazil. Mean age at clinical examination was 40.72 months in the full-term group (G1) and 30.44 months in the premature group (G2). The children were divided in two age subgroups: 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 years. Statistical results (Students t and Kruskal-Wallis tests) showed that dmft was 0.43 for G1 and 0.01 for G2 in the 0-3 age subgroup, and 1.7 for G1 and 1.1 for G2 in the 4-6 age subgroup. Differences were significant between G1 and G2 only in the 0-3 age subgroup (p = 0.047). Caries evaluation showed that, of the 96 children in G1, 75 were caries free, while in G2, 84 did not have the disease. These differences were not significant (p = 0.088). The lower mean dmft found in the 0-3 age subgroup in G2 may be attributed to routines established by the hospitals neonatology staff, such as frequent dental visits and preventive instructions about oral habits, oral hygiene and diet. After this age, with the completion of the primary dentition, values increased and became similar between the G1 and G2 groups. Results also suggested a highly skewed distribution since most caries were found in only a small number of children.

Phenotypic aspects of oral strains of Candida albicans in children with down's syndrome

The aim of this article is to characterize the biological aspects of oral strains of C. albicans in children with Downs syndrome. These yeasts were analyzed as to their macromorphological and enzymatic aspects and were tested as to their in vitro susceptibility to antifungal drugs using broth microdilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The morphotyping revealed that all oral C. albicans isolates from children with Downs syndrome promoted the formation of fringes regardless of size, while the control group presented smaller fringes. All oral C. albicans strains produced proteinase, but those with phospholipolytic activity showed greater enzyme capacity in the test group. In vitro susceptibility showed that all oral C. albicans isolates were sensitive to the drugs used.

A reduction in CD90 (THY-1) expression results in increased differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells

BackgroundMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells used in several cell therapies. MSCs are characterized by the expression of CD73, CD90, and CD105 cell markers, and the absence of CD34, CD45, CD11a, CD19, and HLA-DR cell markers. CD90 is a glycoprotein present in the MSC membranes and also in adult cells and cancer stem cells. The role of CD90 in MSCs remains unknown. Here, we sought to analyse the role that CD90 plays in the characteristic properties of in vitro expanded human MSCs.MethodsWe investigated the function of CD90 with regard to morphology, proliferation rate, suppression of T-cell proliferation, and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation of MSCs by reducing the expression of this marker using CD90-target small hairpin RNA lentiviral vectors.ResultsThe present study shows that a reduction in CD90 expression enhances the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs in vitro and, unexpectedly, causes a decrease in CD44 and CD166 expression.ConclusionOur study suggests that CD90 controls the differentiation of MSCs by acting as an obstacle in the pathway of differentiation commitment. This may be overcome in the presence of the correct differentiation stimuli, supporting the idea that CD90 level manipulation may lead to more efficient differentiation rates in vitro.

Relação entre bruxismo, fatores oclusais e hábitos bucais

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the relationship between bruxism, occlusal factors and oral habits in children and adolescent subjects, students from public schools in Brasilia-Federal District city. METHODS: A group of 680 students, of both genders, average age 4 - 16 years, were randomly selected. Data was collected by clinical evaluation and questionnaires replied by the responsible for the students. The occlusion morphological aspects were evaluated according to Angle classification and following a criteria created for the deciduous dentition, according to Foster and Hamilton (1969). Uni or bilateral posterior and anterior crossbites were evaluated. The chi-square test, the Odds Ratio and the SPSS software were used for the statistic analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 592 questionnaires were fulfilled completely. Bruxism had a prevalence of 43%, whilst 57% presented malocclusion. Oral habits were observed in 53%. The prevalence of a malocclusion increased from 42.6% in the deciduous dentition to 74.4% in the permanent dentition. The evaluation of the results showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between bruxism and the studied occlusal factors (p > 0.05). Differences were not found between genders in both variables. Onicofagy was the most frequent habit (35%), mainly in the female subjects. There was a statistically significant relationship between bruxism and oral habits. Evaluating the specific types of habits, just pacifier sucking showed to be related to the bruxism. Additional studies will be necessary for a better understanding of the local origin of bruxism.Objective: Evaluating the relationship between bruxism, occlusal factors and oral habits in children and adolescent subjects, students from public schools in Brasilia-Federal District city. Methods: A group of 680 students, of both genders, average age 4 - 16 years, were randomly selected. Data was collected by clinical evaluation and questionnaires replied by the responsible for the students. The occlusion morphological aspects were evaluated according to Angle classification and following a criteria created for the deciduous dentition, according to Foster and Hamilton (1969). Uni or bilateral posterior and anterior crossbites were evaluated. The chi-square test, the Odds Ratio and the SPSS software were used for the statistic analysis. Results and Conclusion: 592 questionnaires were fulfilled completely. Bruxism had a prevalence of 43%, whilst 57% presented malocclusion. Oral habits were observed in 53%. The prevalence of a malocclusion increased from 42.6% in the deciduous dentition to 74.4% in the permanent dentition. The evaluation of the results showed that there was no statistically significant relationship between bruxism and the studied occlusal factors (p > 0.05). Differ ences were not found between genders in both variables. Onicofagy was the most frequent habit (35%), mainly in the female subjects. There was a statistically significant relationship between bruxism and oral habits. Evaluating the specific types of habits, just pacifier sucking showed to be related to the bruxism. Additional studies will be necessary for a better understanding of the local origin of bruxism.

Candida albicans isoladas da cavidade bucal de crianças com síndrome de Down: ocorrência e inibição do crescimento por Streptomyces sp

Comparison of the presence of Candida yeasts in the buccal cavity of children without and with Downs syndrome showed a statistically significant difference in the case of children that were affected by this chromosomopathy, rendering them more predisposed to buccal candidiasis, probably due to anatomicophysiologic alterations of the mouth resulting from trisomy of chromosome 21. Constant recurrence of buccal candidiasis in children with this chromosomal alteration lead to the search for a possible therapeutic alternative. Seeking to determine the antifungal activity of Streptomyces sp isolated from various Brazilian soils, 5 strains have been tested for Candida albicans isolated from the buccal cavity of children with Downs syndrome. It was observed that the isolate presented a diversity in the size of the halos (9-31 mm in diameter) of growth inhibition of the yeasts, suggesting a possible use as a therapeutic antifungal.

Prevalence of enamel defects and associated risk factors in both dentitions in preterm and full term born children

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of enamel defects and their risk factors on primary and permanent dentitions of prematurely born children and full-term born children born at Regional Hospital of Asa Sul, Brasília, DF, Brazil. Material and Methods Eighty 5-10-year-old children of both genders were examined, being 40 born prematurely (G1) and 40 born full term (G2). The demographic variables, medical history and oral health behaviors were retrieved using a questionnaire and data obtained from clinical examination were recorded. The teeth were examined and the presence of enamel defects was diagnosed according to the DDE Index and registered in odontograms. Subsequently, the defects were categorized in four groups according to one of the criteria proposed in 1992 by the FDI Commission on Oral Health, Research and Epidemiology. Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Kappa, Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results 75% of total sample had enamel defects. There was a major prevalence of hypoplasia of the enamel in G1 (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between low weight and presence of the imperfections on the enamel in G1 on the primary dentition. The logistic regression model showed that the other risk factors such as monthly per capita family income, educational level, dietary and hygiene habits, fluoride exposure, trauma, and diseases were not associated with enamel defects and caries. Conclusions Pre-term labor can be a predisposing factor for the presence of the enamel hypoplasia in the primary dentition.

Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in radicular and residual radicular cysts

Objective This study assessed and compared the immunoexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in radicular cysts (RCs) and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), relating them to the angiogenic index and the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. Material and Methods Twenty RCs and 10 RRCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-VEGF and anti-MMP-9 antibodies. The angiogenic index was determined by microvessel count (MVC) using anti-von Willebrand factor antibody. Results The expression of both VEGF and MMP-9 was higher in RCs than in RRCs. RCs and RRCs presented strong epithelial expression of VEGF, irrespective of the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. Lesions with strong expression of MMP-9 showed significantly higher number of immunopositive cells for VEGF (p<0.05) and higher MVC (p<0.05). Lesions with dense inflammatory infiltrate exhibited significantly higher MVC (p<0.05) and higher number of immunopositive cells for VEGF (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between both MVC (p<0.05) and the quantity of immunopositive cells for VEGF (p<0.05), with intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. In addition, it was observed a positive correlation between the number of immunopositive cells for VEGF and MVC (p<0.05). Conclusions VEGF and MMP-9 might play important roles in the angiogenesis in RCs and RRCs. In these lesions, the expression of these molecules and the MVC is closely related to the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate. The expression of VEGF in the epithelial lining of RCs and RRCs might be important for the enlargement of these lesions.