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Purpose: Determine if different technology-based health education interventions can reduce oral health inequalities between the sexes in a sample of adolescents., Methods: A cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted in three phases with an initial sample of 291 male and female adolescents 14-19 years of age. Phase I (n = 288) comprised a clinical examination performed by a calibrated examiner using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) and gingival bleeding index (GBI). Phase II involved two educational interventions: video (VD; n = 147) or oral counselling (OR; n = 141) with standardized content. In phase III, an App was made available to half of the clusters (OR + App; n = 66/OR without App; n = 71/VD + App; n = 63/VD without App; n = 63), and the clinical examination was performed a second time. Data were evaluated using descriptive analysis and nonparametric tests., Results: In phase I, boys had a lower standard of oral hygiene compared with girls, with higher mean OHI-S (p = 0.039) and GBI (p = 0.015). After VD and OR interventions, no significant difference between sexes was found regarding the mean OHI-S. However, males had a higher mean GBI compared with females in the OR group (p = 0.006). When the App was added to OR and VD groups, males in the 'OR without App' group had a higher mean GBI compared with females (p = 0.007)., Conclusion: This clinical trial demonstrated that educational interventions involving information technologies were effective at reducing oral health inequalities between the sexes among adolescents. However, oral counselling alone was not efficient in reducing GBI in male adolescents., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Adequately processing polishing points used to polish composite resin restorations is necessary for microbiological control in dentistry, but there is no specific protocol to guide professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of dentists in processing these instruments., Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included the application of an online questionnaire via Google Forms and social media promotion. The study evaluated the association of field of activity, time since graduation, age, and sex of professionals with processing practice. The statistical analysis was performed with absolute and relative frequencies and logistic and Poisson regressions at a 5% significance level., Results: Overall, 473 questionnaires were analyzed. A rate of 51% of professionals reported using inadequate processing methods, and almost 68% claimed to have good knowledge of the topic. Both regression analyses were significantly associated, showing a direct effect of age and time since graduation on adequate processing practices., Conclusions: Although most professionals reported understanding the processing of polishing points, they do not perform it most adequately., Clinical Significance: An expressive number of dentists process polishing points improperly. The topic is significant for representing a semi-critical instrument extensively used in esthetic restorations., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between SLC6A4 (rs1042173 and rs3813034), DRD2 (rs6275 and rs6276), ANKK1 (rs1800497), and COMT (rs174675) genetic polymorphisms and alterations in anxiety levels and vital signs in individuals undergoing third molar extractions., Study Design: One hundred sixty-eight individuals were evaluated at the pre-, trans-, and postoperative periods by checking systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Buccal mucosa cells were collected for genetic evaluation using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed at a significance level of 5%., Results: The level of anxiety was associated with rs1800497 for STAI-Trait (P = .031) and rs174675 for STAI-State (P = .007). Considering the vital signs, there was a significant difference between the values of respiratory rate and rs1042173 (P = .029), rs3813034 (P = .024), and rs6275 (P = .025). The diastolic blood pressure values differed significantly for rs1042173 (P = .042), and the body temperature values differed significantly for rs174675 (P = .016)., Conclusions: Polymorphisms in SLC6A4, DRD2, ANKK1, and COMT genes could be associated with alterations in anxiety levels and vital signs in individuals undergoing third molar extractions., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate patient perception of surgical discomfort in third molar surgery and the association with clinical variables and polymorphisms associated with the FKBP5, SLC6A4, and COMT genes. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out on 196 participants aged between 18 and 64 years at the Federal University of Paraná in 11 months. The intensity of surgical discomfort was assessed using the QCirDental questionnaire. Data on surgical and individual procedures were also cataloged. The oral health related quality of life was assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14). The DNA sample was obtained from cells of the oral mucosa. Five markers of the FKBP5, SLC6A4, and COMT genes were genotyped. The data were submitted to statistical analysis with a significance level of 5%. Women reported greater intensity of discomfort associated with third molar surgery compared to men (p = 0.001). In the recessive model, the AA genotype of the rs3800373 marker was associated with greater surgical discomfort (p = 0.026). Therefore, women and individuals of the AA genotype for the rs3800373 marker in the FKBP5 gene reported greater surgical discomfort associated with third molar surgery.

Rehabilitation with implant prostheses in posterior areas requires the maximum number of possible implants due to the greater masticatory load of the region. However, the necessary minimum requirements are not always present in full. This project analyzed the minimum principal stresses (TMiP, representative of the compressive stress) to the friable structures, specifically the vestibular face of the cortical bone and the vestibular and internal/lingual face of the medullary bone. The experimental groups were as follows: the regular splinted group (GR), with a conventional infrastructure on 3 regular-length Morse taper implants (4 × 11 mm); and the regular pontic group (GP), with a pontic infrastructure on 2 regular-length Morse taper implants (4 × 11 mm). The results showed that the TMiP of the cortical and medullary bones were greater for the GP in regions surrounding the implants (especially in the cervical and apical areas of the same region) but they did not reach bone damage levels, at least under the loads applied in this study. It was concluded that greater stress observed in the GP demonstrates greater fragility with this modality of rehabilitation; this should draw the professional's attention to possible biomechanical implications. Whenever possible, professionals should give preference to use of a greater number of implants in the rehabilitation system, with a focus on preserving the supporting tissue with the generation of less intense stresses.

Purpose: To determine whether an experimental thermally deposited siloxane-methacrylate coating for use in industrial scale applications would improve the bond strength of resin-based materials to glass fiber posts (GFPs) without affecting their mechanical properties., Materials and Methods: An experimental 5% (w/v) solution of methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane was prepared. Two types of GFPs (Exacto, Angelus; White Post DC, FGM) were divided into the following groups: S: silane; SA: silane and adhesive; HS: 35% H₂O₂ and silane; HSA: 35% H₂O₂, silane and adhesive; Exp: siloxane-methacrylate coating (Si-O) via post immersion in experimental solution followed by heating; Exp-S: silane after Si-O treatment; Exp-A: adhesive after Si-O treatment; and Exp-SA: silane and adhesive after Si-O treatment. The posts were positioned in a mold to allow insertion of a dual-curing resin core, serially sectioned into beams, and subjected to microtensile bond strength (μTSB) testing. The three-point bending test and SEM/EDX analysis were used to assess the mechanical and surface properties of untreated GFPs that were etched with H₂O₂ or treated with Si-O., Results: Surface treatments affected the μTSB only for the Exacto GFPs. The highest μTBS (MPa) was observed in Exp-S and Exp-SA groups, whereas H₂O₂ etching resulted in intermediate values. The mechanical properties were not affected by surface treatments. Exacto GFPs had significantly higher flexural strength (σf) and flexural modulus (Ef) than did the White Post DC GFPs, but the latter were significantly stiffer (S) than Exacto, regardless of the surface treatment tested. H₂O₂ promoted morphological changes in post surfaces. The experimental treatment promoted deposition of Si onto the post surface, improving bond strengths of Exacto posts., Conclusion: The proposed novel coating technique is a viable procedure for fiber post manufacturers to improve the μTSB of resin-based materials.

Proteasome inhibitors are emerging as a new class of chemopreventive agents and have gained huge importance as potential pharmacological tools in breast cancer treatment. Improved understanding of the role played by proteases and their specific inhibitors in humans offers novel and challenging opportunities for preventive and therapeutic intervention. In this study, we demonstrated that the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor from Vigna unguiculata seeds, named black-eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin Inhibitor (BTCI), potently suppresses human breast adenocarcinoma cell viability by inhibiting the activity of proteasome 20S. BTCI induced a negative growth effect against a panel of breast cancer cells, with a concomitant cytostatic effect at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and an increase in apoptosis, as observed by an augmented number of cells at the sub-G1 phase and annexin V-fluorescin isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining. In contrast, BTCI exhibited no cytotoxic effect on normal mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, the increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential in cells treated with BTCI indicated mitochondrial damage as a crucial cellular event responsible for the apoptotic process. The higher activity of caspase in tumoral cells treated with BTCI in comparison with untreated cells suggests that BTCI induces apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. BTCI affected NF-kB target gene expression in both non invasive and invasive breast cancer cell lines, with the effect highly pronounced in the invasive cells. An increased expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in both cell lines was also observed. Taken together, these results suggest that BTCI promotes apoptosis through ROS-induced mitochondrial damage following proteasome inhibition. These findings highlight the pharmacological potential and benefit of BTCI in breast cancer treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treating intraradicular dentin with irrigating solutions on the retention of glass-fiber posts luted with self-adhesive resin cement. Bovine incisors were endodontically treated, and 9-mm-deep postholes were prepared. Before inserting the cement, the root canals were irrigated with various solutions: 11.5% polyacrylic acid for 30 s, 17% EDTA for 60 s, or 5% NaOCl for 60 s, respectively. Irrigation with distilled water was used in the control group. After all specimens had been rinsed with distilled water, the excess moisture was removed and the posts were luted using either BisCem (Bisco) or RelyX Unicem clicker (3M ESPE). Seven days after luting, the specimens were sectioned transversally into 1-mm-thick slices, which were submitted to push-out testing on a mechanical testing machine. Bond strength data (n = 6 per group) were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls' test (α = 0.05). For Unicem, EDTA showed lower bond strength than the other solutions, which had similar results. For BisCem, EDTA showed higher bond strength than the other treatments, while application of NaOCl yielded higher bond strength than polyacrylic acid whereas the control group had intermediate results. In conclusion, irrigating root canals before insertion of self-adhesive resin cements, especially EDTA, might interfere with retention of the fiber posts.