Sandra Mara Maciel

Factors related to oral health-related quality of life of independent brazilian elderly.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the factors associated with the impact of oral health on the quality of life in a sample of 504 Brazilian independent elderly. Data collection included oral examinations and structured interviews. The simplified form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was used to measure OHRQoL. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, use of dental services, and subjective measures of health was collected. Poisson regression within a hierarchical model was used to data analyses. The following variables were associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL: female gender (PR = 1.40; CI 95%: 1.11–1.77); lower class (PR = 1.58; CI 95%: 1.13–2.20); up to 3 occluding pairs of posterior teeth (PR = 1.88; CI 95%: 1.13–3.14); at least one untreated caries (PR = 1.28; CI 95%: 1.06–1.54); curative reasons for the last dental appointment (PR = 1.52; CI 95%: 1.15–2.00); poor self-perception of oral health (PR = 2.49; CI 95%: 1.92–3.24); and poor perception of dental care provided (PR = 1.34; CI 95%: 1.12–1.59). The younger elderly also noticed this negative impact. These findings showed that the clinical, sociodemographic, and subjective factors evaluated exerted a negative impact on OHRQoL in elderly people. Health authorities must address all these factors when planning interventions on oral health for this population.

Genotypic Diversity of Streptococcus mutans in Caries-Free and Caries-Active Preschool Children

Aim. The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the genotypic diversity of S. mutans in caries-free and caries-active preschool children in Brazil. Design. Twenty-eight preschool children were examined regarding caries experience by the dmft index. DNA from 280 isolates of S. mutans was extracted. S. mutans evaluated using to the PCR method, with primers for the glucosyltransferase gene. The genetic diversity of S. mutans isolates was analyzed by arbitrary primed-PCR (AP-PCR) reactions. The differences between the diversity genotypic and dmft/caries experience were evaluated by χ2 test and Spearmans correlation. Results. The Spearman correlation test showed a strong association between genotypic diversity and caries experience (r = 0.72; P < .001). There were more S. mutans genotypes in the group of preschool children with dental caries, compared with the caries-free group. Among the children with more than 1 genotype, 13 had dental caries (2 to 5 genotypes) and 4 were caries-free (only 2 genotypes). Conclusion. Our results support the previous findings of genetic diversity of S. mutans in preschool children being associated with dental caries. The investigation of such populations may be important for directing the development of programs for caries prevention worldwide.

Atividade do Óleo Essencial de Tomilho (Thymus vulgaris L.) Contra Fungos Fitopatogênicos

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar as caracteristicas fisico-quimicas, lactofermentacao, tempo de redutase, sedimentacao e Ring test de 20 amostras de leite cru informais visando o levantamento de dados sobre a qualidade do leite cru informal comercializado na regiao norte do Parana, o que possibilitara alertar a populacao consumidora deste produto. Estava fora dos padroes 40% das amostras no alizarol, 55% para acidez Dornic, 30% na densidade, 45% no IC, 95% na sedimentacao, 55% com tempo de redutase igual/ inferior ao leite cru tipo C; 65% na lactofermentacao e 5% no Ring Test. Resultados indicaram problemas higienico-sanitarios de obtencao, transporte e conservacao e um risco a saude do consumidor.Hanseniase e uma doenca cronica, proveniente da infeccao causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae que acomete nervos perifericos e possui grande poder incapacitante. Para se alcancar a meta estabelecida pela Organizacao Mundial da Saude de menos de 1:10.000 habitantes ha necessidade de que todos os estados e municipios conhecam a sua situacao epidemiologica. Portanto este estudo epidemiologico auxiliara na visualizacao da situacao da hanseniase no municipio de Londrina-PR. O objetivo deste estudo e analisar o perfil epidemiologico dos pacientes com hanseniase no municipio de Londrina-PR. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo retrospectivo, cujos dados foram coletados atraves de um instrumento semi-estruturado composto de 32 questoes, no ambulatorio de hanseniase do Centro Integrado de Doencas Infecciosas (CIDI) Londrina-PR no periodo de agosto e setembro de 2004. Para tanto se realizou um banco de dados, onde as informacoes obtidas foram transportadas para o programa estatistico SPSS 8.0 para Windows. Dos 251 sujeitos que frequentaram CIDI no periodo de 2000 a 2003 observou-se o predominio do sexo masculino 131 (52,2 da porcentagem) para 120 (47,8 da porcentagem) feminino, a faixa etaria 105 (41,8 da porcentagem), encontra-se entre 41 a 60 anos. Entre os anos de 2000 a 2001 obteve-se um predominio da forma Tuberculoide, ja nos anos subsequentes 119 (47,3 da porcentagem) dos casos apresentaram a forma Virchowiana. Quanto ao grau de incapacidade, houve um predominio das formas Dimorfa e Virchowiana, 73 (61,8 da porcentagem) com grau I no inicio do tratamento e 138 (54,9 da porcentagem) na alta. Conclui-se que o diagnostico tem sido feito tardiamente, fazendo-se necessario um maior empenho, dos profissionais de saude, em programas e acoes estrategicas no controle da hanseniase.Objetivou-se avaliar cefalometricamente as alteracoes ocorridas apos o tratamento ortodontico com extracoes dos quatro primeiros pre-molares, em jovens com ma oclusao de Classe I e II de Angle. A amostra constituiu-se 54 telerradiografias de 27 jovens, sendo 16 jovens do genero feminino e 11 jovens do masculino, com idade media inicial de 13a 4m. Foram avaliadas grandezas cefalometricas dentoesqueleticas antes e apos o tratamento ortodontico, que durou em media 3 anos 1 mes. Os resultados demonstraram uma diminuicao estatisticamente significante para a medida SNA, sendo que o mesmo nao foi observado em relacao a mandibula, que nao apresentou alteracoes estatisticamente significantes. No entanto, a relacao maxilomandibular apresentou melhora significante. As grandezas cefalometricas SNGoGn, BaNaPtgn, AFP/AFA nao sofreram alteracao significante. Em contrapartida, as grandezas referentes as dimensoes verticais como AFAI, AFA (N-Me) e AFP (S-Go) apresentaram aumento estatisticamente significante. Em relacao aos dentes, observou-se extrusao e mesializacao dos molares superiores e inferiores, assim como os incisivos superiores e inferiores apresentaram movimento para lingual. Foi possivel concluir que o tratamento ortodontico realizado com extracao de pre-molares contribuiu para um aumento da dimensao vertical, fato esse que nao justifica a adocao de tal procedimento com objetivo de controlar ou diminuir a altura facial dos pacientes.

Dental caries in adolescents and its association with excess weight and sociodemographic factors in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of dental caries and investigate its association with sociodemographic factors and excess weight in adolescents. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 424 adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age. The prevalence of dental caries was assessed according to criteria defined by the WHO (1997); sociodemographic characteristics were obtained through interviews with the adolescents, and nutritional status was determined by the body mass index. Statistical analysis was based on the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests using a 5% significance level. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 72.9% with an average DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) index of 2.93. Excess weight was diagnosed in 22.4% of the adolescents. Factors that were associated with a greater severity included residence/school on the west side of the city (P < 0.0001), 17 years of age (P=0.026), dark skin (P=0.005), lower education level (P < 0.0001), higher maternal age (P=0.050), and lower family income (P=0.033). Despite an absence of statistical significance, the greatest dental caries severity was found among overweight adolescents and the lowest severity was found among obese adolescents. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors have an important influence on the prevalence of dental caries in the study population. Greater excess weight was not associated with dental caries.

An evaluation of the expression profiles of salivary proteins lactoferrin and lysozyme and their association with caries experience and activity

Purpose: Saliva contains both specific and non-specific protective factors of the immune system, such as antimicrobial proteins, which can inhibit the adhesion and viability of cariogenic microorganisms. The association between caries experience/activity and the electrophoretic profiles of salivary proteins lactoferrin and lysozyme was evaluated. Methods: Eighty 12-year-old students from public schools in Londrina, PR, Brazil, were selected and divided into two groups: Group A – with decayed teeth and Group B – with caries-free teeth. The parent/guardian of each child signed a consent form and filled out a questionnaire regarding the oral and systemic health of his/her child. A clinical examination to diagnose the presence or absence of dental caries, by means of the DMFT index, was conducted. A total of 1 mL of saliva was collected for protein analysis using a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results: A total of 58.8% of the children were caries-inactive; in contrast, 63.3% showed caries experience. There was a slight association between lysozyme concentrations and DMFT. Lactoferrin was positively correlated with both DMFT and restored teeth. Conclusion: The quantification of lactoferrin and lysozyme enabled an assessment of possible associations with caries status, thus improving the understanding of the biological and etiological aspects of caries.

Fatores associados ao uso regular de cigarros por adolescentes estudantes de escolas públicas de Londrina, Paraná, Brasil

This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to identify factors associated with regular cigarette smoking among adolescents. The sample included 517 public school 9th graders in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information, including social and demographic characteristics, social relations, and health risk behaviors. Logistic regression was used in the statistical analysis, with significance set at 5%. 8.9% of the adolescents reported smoking at least one cigarette a day in the previous 30 days. Age ≥ 15 years (OR = 2.28; 95%CI: 1.21-4.32; p = 0.011) and having friends that smoked (OR = 12.62; 95%CI: 4.44-35.89; p < 0.0001) were associated with regular smoking in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. Meanwhile, gender, race, social class, living with father and mother, religion, maternal education, having tried alcohol, physical activity, and paid work were not associated with smoking. These findings support the development of community-based tobacco control strategies targeting adolescents.Estudo epidemiologico transversal com objetivo de identificar fatores associados ao uso regular de cigarros por adolescentes. A amostra foi constituida por 517 alunos do 9o ano do Ensino Fundamental de escolas publicas de Londrina, Parana, Brasil. O instrumento de coleta de dados incluiu caracteristicas sociodemograficas, relacoes sociais e comportamentos de risco. Na analise estatistica, foi utilizado o modelo de regressao logistica com nivel de significância em 5%. Relataram uso de cigarros, pelo menos, um dia nos ultimos trinta dias 8,9% dos alunos. Os fatores idade ≥ 15 anos (OR = 2,28; IC95%: 1,21-4,32; p = 0,011) e possuir amigos fumantes (OR = 12,62; IC95%: 4,44-35,89; p < 0,0001) associaram-se ao uso regular de cigarros, tanto na analise univariada como na multivariada. Por outro lado, sexo, raca, classe social, morar com pai e mae, religiao, escolaridade materna, experimentacao de alcool, atividade fisica e atividade remunerada nao se associaram a essa pratica. Esses achados podem subsidiar a elaboracao de estrategias antitabagicas direcionadas a comunidade, tendo o adolescente como alvo.

Interleukin‑1β gene polymorphism and hearing loss related to the history of occupational noise exposure in Brazilian elderly

Hearing loss is the most common sensory impairment in older people, and may have social and psychological consequences, such as social isolation, frustration and depression. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. Some studies have led to the identification of possible NIHL susceptibility genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the polymorphism of the interleukin (IL)-1β gene at position + 3954 was associated with complaints of hearing loss due to occupational exposure. The sample was composed of elderly people with hearing loss (age ≥ 60 years) divided into two groups: 99 with occupational exposure to noise and 193 without exposure. Information on occupational exposure to noise was obtained through interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Hearing acuity was measured from 500 to 6000 Hz and the IL-1β genotype was obtained by the polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies, and the association between genotypic frequencies and complaints of hearing loss due to occupational exposure, were analyzed by the Chi-square test at the 5% significance level. Fifty-one percent of the elderly were homozygous for the ancestral allele (C), 17.2% were homozygous for the polymorphic allele (T) and 31.8% were heterozygous. The frequency was found to be 67-33% C to allele T. There was no significant association between polymorphism in gene IL-1β and hearing loss associated with occupational exposure (χ2 = 0.538; P = 0.676). No association was found with the polymorphism of the IL-1β +3954 C/T gene and hearing loss associated with the occupational noise exposure history.

Association between oral health status and central obesity among Brazilian independent-living elderly.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between oral health status and central obesity (CO) in Brazilian independent-living elderly. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 489 elderly, who were participants of the Study on Aging and Longevity, in Londrina, state of Parana. The number of natural teeth and use of prostheses were evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria. The presence of CO was assessed using measures of waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Information concerning sociodemographic profile and some systemic conditions was also collected. Data were analyzed using stepwise logistic regression, α=5%. According to WC and WHR measures, the prevalence of central obesity was 79.3% and 76.1%, respectively. CO according to WC was not associated with oral status. Considering the WHR measure, the following oral conditions were associated to CO: having fewer natural teeth (OR = 2.61; 95%CI = 1.17-5.80), being edentulous and wearing both upper and lower complete dentures (OR = 2.34; 95%CI = 1.11-4.93), and being edentulous wearing only the upper complete denture (OR = 2.64; 95%CI = 1.01-6.95). Traditional risk factors for CO such as gender, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes were associated with both measures. A poor oral health due to extensive tooth loss, whether partial or complete, even if rehabilitated by removable prostheses, may be considered a good predictor of CO in Brazilian independent-living elderly.

Factors associated with regular cigarette smoking by adolescents from public schools in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to identify factors associated with regular cigarette smoking among adolescents. The sample included 517 public school 9th graders in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information, including social and demographic characteristics, social relations, and health risk behaviors. Logistic regression was used in the statistical analysis, with significance set at 5%. 8.9% of the adolescents reported smoking at least one cigarette a day in the previous 30 days. Age ≥ 15 years (OR = 2.28; 95%CI: 1.21-4.32; p = 0.011) and having friends that smoked (OR = 12.62; 95%CI: 4.44-35.89; p < 0.0001) were associated with regular smoking in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. Meanwhile, gender, race, social class, living with father and mother, religion, maternal education, having tried alcohol, physical activity, and paid work were not associated with smoking. These findings support the development of community-based tobacco control strategies targeting adolescents.Estudo epidemiologico transversal com objetivo de identificar fatores associados ao uso regular de cigarros por adolescentes. A amostra foi constituida por 517 alunos do 9o ano do Ensino Fundamental de escolas publicas de Londrina, Parana, Brasil. O instrumento de coleta de dados incluiu caracteristicas sociodemograficas, relacoes sociais e comportamentos de risco. Na analise estatistica, foi utilizado o modelo de regressao logistica com nivel de significância em 5%. Relataram uso de cigarros, pelo menos, um dia nos ultimos trinta dias 8,9% dos alunos. Os fatores idade ≥ 15 anos (OR = 2,28; IC95%: 1,21-4,32; p = 0,011) e possuir amigos fumantes (OR = 12,62; IC95%: 4,44-35,89; p < 0,0001) associaram-se ao uso regular de cigarros, tanto na analise univariada como na multivariada. Por outro lado, sexo, raca, classe social, morar com pai e mae, religiao, escolaridade materna, experimentacao de alcool, atividade fisica e atividade remunerada nao se associaram a essa pratica. Esses achados podem subsidiar a elaboracao de estrategias antitabagicas direcionadas a comunidade, tendo o adolescente como alvo.

Genotypic diversity and virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans in caries-free and caries-active individuals

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyze the genotypic diversity, frequency of serotypes and the detection of mutacins from Streptococcus mutans isolates in caries-free and caries-active individuals. A total of 260 S. mutans isolated from 28 individuals with and without dental caries were subjected to AP-PCR and PCR screening of glucosyltransferase B, mutacin and serotype genes, which showed the presence of. 70 different genotypes. There was no statistically significant association between the presence of genes for serotypes and mutacins with dental caries. However, there was a statistically significant and a strong association between the higher genotypic diversity in the subjects with caries (r = 0.72, p = 0.001). There was an increase in the number of genotypes with increasing age (p <0.01). Key words: Dental caries, genotypic diversity, mutacin, serotype, Streptococcus mutans * Author for correspondence: reginafrederico@yahoo.com.br