Aim or purpose: To evaluate the effect of different scanning strategies on the accuracy of crown width measurement in invisible orthodontic design software. Materials and methods: A digital caliper was used to measure the crown width of 28 isolated teeth. As the control group, a light, medium and severe dental crowding model was constructed. Four scanning strategies of S1-S4 were respectively implemented by iTero scanner on the bionic head model to obtain the digital model. OrthoCAD records crown width data for the experimental group. The deviation of the two groups is calculated, expressed as the median M . Results: Under the same dental crowding, scanning strategies had no statistical significance on the measurement deviation (P > 0.05). Under the condition of the same scanning strategy, there were significant differences in the measurement deviation among different dentition crowded groups (P < 0.05). The number of teeth with differences was as follows: there were 22 teeth with significant difference in S1 strategy, 19 teeth with each of S2 and S4 strategies, and 16 teeth with S3 strategy. The sum of deviation values of maxillary and mandibular total arch crown width was positive deviation, and the deviation of S1 strategy was the largest. Conclusions: The effect of scanning strategy on the accuracy of crown width measurement varied with the degree of crowding and tooth position. Different scanning strategies are recommended for different degrees of dental congestion: S4, S3 and S2 are recommended for maxillary light, medium and severe dental congestion, respectively. S4 strategy was selected for each degree of mandibular crowding.
Kofi Effah, Ethel Tekpor, Joseph Emmanuel Amuah
et al.
Abstract Background Cervical cancer (CC) screening uptake remains low primarily owing to the absence of organized screening and lack of insurance coverage. Members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) contribute monthly to an insurance scheme which covers cancer (including CC) treatment but not cervical precancer screening/treatment. We conducted this study to examine health beliefs shaping cervical screening uptake among educators and to understand how the scheme could scale cervical precancer screening and treatment services for beneficiaries across the country. Methods From February − July 2022, we performed cervical precancer screening with concurrent hr-HPV DNA testing and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) for 102 teachers in 3 districts in the Volta Region. From April − May 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 498 female subscribers of the GNAT insurance scheme in the same districts using non-probability snowball sampling. Data on utilization of cervical cancer screening services and risk factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Health beliefs and situational factors associated with screening uptake among school teachers were assessed. Results Although all 498 female school teachers were enrolled in the cancer insurance scheme, cervical cancer screening uptake was reported by 116 (23.9%). Utilization of cervical cancer screening services was 25.3% among married women and 34.4% among women who reported limited access to screening. In the final adjusted logistic regression model, perceived barriers to screening (aOR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.42 − 0.72) and being divorced/widowed (aOR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.10–4.03 vs. married/cohabitating) were independently associated with cervical precancer screening uptake. The hr-HPV prevalence and VIA ‘positivity’ rate were 17.3% (95% CI, 9.9–24.8) and 1.0% (95% CI, 0.0–5.5), respectively. Conclusions Cervical precancer screening utilization among female teachers enrolled in the GNAT cancer insurance scheme was sub-optimal owing to barriers related to low awareness, limited access, and social factors. The cancer insurance scheme represents a golden opportunity to overcome the identified barriers and improve HPV screening access and outcomes in addition to increasing access to cervical cancer treatment and should be explored.
Rafał Januszek, Bożena Kocik, Wojciech Siłka
et al.
<i>Background</i>: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is a worldwide method of coronary revascularisation. The aim of this study was to assess the immediate and long-term effects of Nordic Walking (NW) training added to a standard cardiac rehabilitation programme on physical activity (PA) and capacity and life quality, as well as selected proatherogenic risk factors. <i>Methods</i>: The studied group comprised 50 patients (considering exclusion criteria, 40 patients), aged 56–70, with CCS after elective PCI qualified them for a 6-weeks-long cardiac rehabilitation. The follow-up period lasted 4 months, and control visits occurred at 2 and 4 months. The studied patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group—standard cardiac rehabilitation programme and experimental group—standard cardiac rehabilitation programme additionally combined with NW training. <i>Results</i>: The cardiac rehabilitation programme in the experimental, compared to the control group, increased intense PA (from 731.43 ± 909.9 to 2740 ± 2875.96 vs. from 211.43 ± 259.43 to 582.86 ± 1289.74 MET min/week) and aerobic efficiency—VO2peak (from 8.67 ± 0.88 to 9.96 ± 1.35 vs. from 7.39 ± 2 to 7.41 ± 2.46 METs), as well as quality of life according to the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire (from 3.57 ± 0.51 to 4.14 ± 0.36 vs. from 3.29 ± 0.47 to 3.57 ± 0.51 points). The walking distance assessed with the 6-min walk test did not differ between the groups before the beginning of the rehabilitation programme. Both at the I follow-up and II follow-up time points, a significant increase in the walking distance was noted in the control and experimental groups compared to baseline, and the difference between both groups was significant at the end of follow-up (378.57 ± 71.35 vs. 469.29 ± 58.07, <i>p</i> = 0.003). Moreover, NW had a positive effect on the modulation within selected biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis, as well as subjective quality of life and well-being. <i>Conclusions</i>: Introducing NW training into the cardiac rehabilitation process proved to be a more effective form of therapy in patients with CCS treated via PCI, as compared to the standard cardiac rehabilitation programme alone.
Abstract Background High salt intake is a major cause of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The out-of-home sectors have been identified as one of the contributors of high salt intake in the population. The National Salt Reduction Policy of Malaysia was initiated in 2015; however, out-of-home sectors are yet to be emphasized and perception by policy-makers and the food industries towards salt reduction are yet unknown. This study aimed to determine the perceptions, barriers and enablers towards salt reduction in the out-of-home sector in Malaysia, as well as among policy-makers and the food industries. Methods This is a qualitative study via semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) involving several stakeholders consisting of policy-makers from five ministries, five nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and food science/food technology researchers from five regions (West, North, East, and South Peninsular and East Malaysia/Borneo), as well as the food industries. The IDI and FGD sessions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using Nvivo software version 12. Results All participants agreed that salt intake in Malaysia is high and leads to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Lack of awareness, poor eating culture and behaviour and frequent eating out were among the causes of high salt intake. Awareness campaigns and education, sodium content labelling and product reformulation were strategies that have been implemented by the government; whilst for the food industries, some of them have tried to reduce salt and labelled the sodium content on their food products. However, there were several barriers including perceived poor consumer acceptance, lack of knowledge and resources, and challenges in reformulation, as well as unavailability of guidelines and salt targets. Hence, several enablers have been suggested, which include prioritizing the salt reduction strategy, creating more awareness, collaboration and engagement, research and technology particularly for reformulation and shelf-life stability, incentives and salt tax. Conclusions Salt reduction efforts of the out-of-home sector in Malaysia could be achieved through several measures or enablers that can overcome the barriers currently faced by stakeholders, especially policy-makers, food industries and the consumers themselves. This study will benefit the policy-makers to improve the salt reduction policy of out-of-home sectors and highlight the concerns among the food industries on the policy.
Maria E. Figueroa-Ospina, Manuela Laverde-Zuleta, Maria P. Perdomo-Ochoa
et al.
Introduction: women and trans people who have engaged in sex work are triply vulnerable since they are victims of discrimination due to their employment status, their gender, and the risks that this work entails. This situation impacts their health situation. This study aimed to know the perceptions about health (physical, mental, and oral) of four women who work in prostitution in Medellin, based on their life experiences and those related to their social context. Methods: qualitative research with an ethnographic approach was conducted to analyze the situations mentioned. Four women participated, two Venezuelans and two Colombians, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was performed, which allowed the generation of four categories (mental health, oral health, general health, and quality of life). Results: her discourses made it possible to elucidate the connection between the living conditions and the health situation. The lack of job opportunities, a migratory process of profound economic and social changes, and a Colombia with inequities and barriers to access to health and social services are determining processes of a general and singular order of the precarious conditions of oral health and general. Conclusions: the participating population is in a situation of social and health vulnerability, which shows the need for public policies and strategies based on the social reality that contribute to generating equity in health.
Monique M. A. de Almeida, Monique M. A. de Almeida, Kara Goodkey
et al.
Neural stem and precursor cells (NPCs) build and regenerate the central nervous system (CNS) by maintaining their pool (self-renewal) and differentiating into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes (multipotency) throughout life. This has inspired research into pro-regenerative therapies that utilize transplantation of exogenous NPCs or recruitment of endogenous adult NPCs for CNS regeneration and repair. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and other “omics” have revealed that NPCs express not just traditional progenitor-related genes, but also genes involved in immune function. Here, we review how NPCs exert immunomodulatory function by regulating the biology of microglia, immune cells that are present in NPC niches and throughout the CNS. We discuss the role of transplanted and endogenous NPCs in regulating microglia fates, such as survival, proliferation, migration, phagocytosis and activation, in the developing, injured and degenerating CNS. We also provide a literature review on NPC-specific mediators that are responsible for modulating microglia biology. Our review highlights the immunomodulatory properties of NPCs and the significance of these findings in the context of designing pro-regenerative therapies for degenerating and diseased CNS.
Cellular activities, such as attachment, spreading, proliferation, migration, and differentiation are indispensable for the success of bone tissue engineering. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are the key precursor cells to regenerate bone. Bioactive compounds from natural products had shown bone regenerative potential. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) is a primary bioactive natural compound that regulates various biological activities, including cardiovascular protection, neuro-protection, and anti-cancer effects. However, the effect of NGR1 on migration, adhesion, spreading, and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs required for bone tissue engineering application has not been tested properly. In this study, we aimed to analyze the effect of NGR1 on the cellular activities of MSCs. Since human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) are commonly used MSCs for bone tissue engineering, we used hASCs as a model of MSCs. The optimal concentration of 0.05 μg/mL NGR1 was biocompatible and promoted migration and osteogenic differentiation of hASCs. Pro-angiogenic factor VEGF expression was upregulated in NGR1-treated hASCs. NGR1 enhanced the adhesion and spreading of hASCs on the bio-inert glass surface. NGR1 robustly promoted hASCs adhesion and survival in 3D-printed TCP scaffold both in vitro and in vivo. NGR1 mitigated LPS-induced expression of inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in hASCs as well as inhibited the RANKL/OPG expression ratio. In conclusion, the biocompatible NGR1 promoted the migration, adhesion, spreading, osteogenic differentiation, and anti-inflammatory properties of hASCs.
Guillemette Lienhart, Beatrice Thivichon-Prince, Pierre Farge
et al.
Introduction Dental caries is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in children. The disease management of caries relies on both a preventive individual approach (fluoridation, risk evaluation) and the surgical treatment of established carious lesions. Similar to other non-communicable diseases (obesity, mental diseases, etc), health professionals’ negative perceptions of patients have been shown to affect the quality of disease management. Regarding dental caries in children, some data have indicated the presence of discriminating beliefs and behaviours towards these children and their families in the medical setting. However, oral health stigma related to dental care remains a largely unexplored issue.Methods and analysis This study presents an exploratory research protocol focusing on the perceptions and attitudes of health professionals towards children with early childhood caries (ECC) and their parents. Semistructured interviews will be conducted among medical and dental health professionals, and verbatim quotations obtained from audio transcriptions will be analysed to identify health professionals’ perceptions of ECC and the influence of these perceptions on clinical care for these children.Ethics and dissemination The research ethics committee of the Department of Family Medicine at University Lyon 1 approved this protocol. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings.Trial registration number NCT05284279.
Dylan Burger, Amira Abdelrasoul, R. Todd Alexander
et al.
Purpose of conference: New discoveries arising from investigations into fundamental aspects of kidney development and function in health and disease are critical to advancing kidney care. Scientific meetings focused specifically on fundamental biology of the kidney can facilitate interactions, support the development of collaborative groups, and accelerate translation of key findings. The Canadian fundamental kidney researcher community has lacked such a forum. On December 3 to 4, 2021, the first Molecules and Mechanisms Mediating Kidney Health and Disease (M3K) Scientific Meeting and Investigator Summit was held to address this gap with the goal of advancing fundamental kidney research nationally. The meeting was held virtually and was supported by a planning and dissemination grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Attendees included PhD scientists, nephrology clinician scientists, engineers, industry representatives, graduate students, medical residents, and fellows. Sources of information: This report was prepared from the scientific program, registration numbers, and details obtained from the online platform WHOVA, and summaries written by organizers and participants of the 2021 meeting. Methods: A 21-person team, consisting of the organizing committee members and participants from the meeting, was assembled. Key highlights of the meeting and future directions were identified and the team jointly assembled this report. Key findings: Participation in the meeting was strong, with more than 140 attendees across a range of disciplines. The program featured state-of-the-art presentations on diabetic nephropathy, the immune system, kidney development, and fibrosis, and was heavily focused on trainee presentations. The moderated “Investigator Summit” identified key barriers to research advancement and discussed strategies for overcoming them. These included establishment of a pan-Canadian fundamental kidney research network, development of key resources, cross-pollination with clinical nephrology, better reintegration into the Canadian Society of Nephrology, and further establishment of identity and knowledge translation. Limitations and implications: The 2021 M3K meeting represented a key first step in uniting fundamental kidney researchers in Canada. However, it was universally agreed that regular meetings were necessary to sustain this momentum. The proceedings of this meeting and future actions to sustain the M3K Scientific Meeting and Investigator Summit are presented in this article.
Learning dental procedures is a complex task involving the development of fine motor skills. The reported use of theories and/or evidence for designing learning activities to develop the fine motor skills needed for dental practice is limited. The aim of this review is to explore the available body of knowledge related to learning motor skills relevant to dentistry. Evidence from studies investigating motor skill learning highlights the negative impact of self-focus and self-regulation on learning outcomes, particularly during the early stages of learning. The development of activities and schedules that enable novices to demonstrate characteristics similar to experts, without the reported long period of ‘deliberate practice’, is clearly of value. Outcomes of learning implicitly are important in dentistry because working under stressful conditions is common, either during undergraduate study or in practice. It is suggested that learning implicitly in the simulation stage can reduce disrupted performance when transitioning to clinical settings. Therefore, further investigation of effective methods for learning dental fine motor skills is indicated, using approaches that result in robust performance, even under stressful conditions.
Rhinoliths are rare calcified entities in the nasal fossa, frequently originating around a nidus near the midway point in the inferior meatus, where the passage is the narrowest. They can be clinically asymptomatic and undetected for years. In this study, we present a rare case of large rhinolith mimicking atypical odontogenic pain in a 40-year-old Caucasian female in the left nasal cavity. The lesion was detected in the CBCT and removed uneventfully.
<strong>Background and aim:</strong> As Hepatitis B is a viral infectious disease that transmits through blood, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibody titration against hepatitis B and its related factors in dental students in Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2017.<br /> <strong>Materials and methods:</strong> This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Blood samples were taken from each student and the anti-hepatitis B antibody was titrated. Data were analyzed by SPSS Ver22 software. First, the normal variables were determined by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. For analysis of variables, T-test, Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used. In all tests, P <br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of men and women was 23.71 ± 1.75 and 22.73 ± .086. The anti-hepatitis B antibody titration was more than 100 mIU/ml in 47 samples and in the 21 samples the antibody titration was between 10-100 mIU/ml and in 21 samples the antibody titration was less than mIU/ml 10. There was a significant relationship between the titration of anti-hepatitis B antibody and the gender, the duration of the receiving the vaccine, the number of doses of the vaccine and also with needle stick received.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study showed that, despite the receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, but a relatively high percentage of students did not have an adequate level of immunity.
Leonora Maciel de Souza Vianna, Fabiana Pirani Carneiro, Rivadavio Amorim
et al.
Background The number of oropharyngeal lesions caused by HPV (Human papillomavirus) has been increasing worldwide in the past years. In spite of the clinical relevance of HPV infection in the anogenital tract of HIV-positive patients, the relevance of oropharynx HPV infection in these patients is not clear. The aim of the present study was to detect HPV infection, and clinical and cytological changes in the oropharynx of HIV-positive patients. Methods Samples collected from the oropharynx of 100 HIV-positive patients were subjected to hybrid capture (HC), conventional and liquid-based cytology. Clinical data were also collected to investigate the relation with HPV status. Results High and low-risk types of HPV were present in 8% and 16.7% of the total sample. The mean ± sd (maximum-minimum) of the relative ratio light unit (RLU)/cutoff (CO) was 2.94 ± 2.58 (1.09–7.87) and 1.61 ± 0.65 (1.07–2.8) for high- and low-risk-HPV, respectively. By cytology, dysplasia was not detected, but atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) were diagnosed in two samples. No clinical change, suggestive of dysplasia/cancer, was detected. Conclusion Our study was able to detect and characterize HPV infection by hybrid capture, which may represent a good tool for screening and follow-up of HPV in the studied population. The frequency and viral load of HPV were low. Neither clinical nor cytological changes suggestive of dysplasia/neoplasia were observed in oropharynx of HIV-positive patients.
Background: Complementary infant formulas are the second most important sources of nutrition for neonates after breast milk. Considering the cariogenic potential of infant formulas, selection of these nutritive sources should be safe to reduce the risk of baby bottle syndrome in newborns. The present study aimed to estimate the plaque pH changes after rinsing with four customary used types of complementary infant formula.
Methods: An in-vivo, in-vitro study was conducted on five healthy neonates aged 12-18 months to assess the plaque pH changes caused by rinsing with four different types of complementary infant formula, including Rice and Milk Cerelac, Wheat and Milk Cerelac, Banana and Milk Humana, and Peach and Milk Humana. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 17 using paired t-test to compare the pH changes associated with each formula. In all the statistical analyses, P-value of less than 0.01 was considered significant.
Results: All the formulas significantly reduced the plaque pH to less than the pre-rinse pH. However, the plaque pH decreased to less than the critical pH level (
Karina Gottardello Zecchin, Michele Conceição Pereira, Pablo Agustin Vargas
et al.
The present study investigated the reduction on bone density 4 weeks after ovariectomy in rats, with conventional X-ray densitometry. Eighty female Wistar rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX group) or sham operation (sham group) under general anesthesia. Animals were killed by cervical dislocation 4 weeks after surgery. The left tibia of each animal was dissected and radiographed using oclusal films. Radiographs were scanned and virtual squares on the proximal tibial metaphysis were analyzed with proper software. Higher OD values represent darker areas in the X-ray. After that the tibia were decalcified with EDTA and serial transversal sections with 6 µm of the mesial root of the first mandibular molar were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Digital images were captured and the densitometric volume of bone was evaluated using software. A significant increase of dark areas in the radiographies of OVX animals was observed when compared with control group (control=1.136±0.020 vs OVX=1.269±0.027, t test, p=0.01). Histomorphometric analysis showed a significant reduction on bone density of OVX animals (control=125.8±20.5 vs OVX=65.4±0.0154, t test, p=0.01). Conventional X-ray densitometry is useful for the characterization of osteopenia in rats after ovariectomy. Besides, 4 weeks are sufficient to cause significant decrease on bone content after ovariectomy.
Objective: Analyze the density of mast cells in Actinic cheilitis according to the histological characteristics of the lesion compared with the normal mucosa.
Material and Methods: Descriptive study where the sample consisted of two groups, the first with 33 specimens of cases of actinic cheilitis diagnosed clinically, and the second consists of 9 specimens of normal oral mucosa, registered in the Service of Head and Neck Hospital Dr. Napoleon Laureano, João Pessoa, PB. The paraffin blocks of the sample were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess the degree of dysplasia and inflammatory infiltrate, and toluidine blue to quantify mast cells. The count of mast cells was performed with the aid of a square grid in the case of field 8. The final reading was expressed with an average value of mast cells by case / μm². Data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 15.0.
Results: In 57.6% of cases there was some degree of dysplasia, and 39.4% mild, 15.2% moderate and 3% severe. 21.2% had squamous cell carcinoma. The presence of inflammatory infiltrate and solar elastosis was observed in 84.9% and 81.8%, respectively. Mast cells were identified in 87.8% of the sample. The density of mast cells in cases of Actinic Cheilitis was 17.4 ± 10.4 cells / μm² and 1.78 ± 1.64 normal tissue cells / μm² (p <0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between mast cell density with the processes of dysplasia (p = 0.004) and inflammatory cell infiltration (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: The increase in mast cell density in actinic cheilitis lesions and its correlation with the processes of inflammation and dysplasia suggest involvement of these cells in disease progression for Squamous Cell Carcinoma lip.
Introduction: Senior students of dentistry are known as those students who have finished all the theoretical and practical courses required to be able to detect carious lesions. Intraoral bite-wing radiographs are the most accurate radiographs for detecting interproximal carious lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of senior students of dentistry to detect carious lesions on conventional bite-wing radiographs.Materials and Methods: In this study descriptive/analytical study easy sampling technique was employed to select 551 interproximal surfaces on bite-wing radiographs. Two experienced dental practitioners detected carious lesions on the radiographs. Then the radiographs were assessed by 42 senior dentistry students (19 males and 23 females) and their reports were recorded. The results of assessments made by the students were evaluated by SPSS 11.5 using descriptive statistics, Cohen's kappa, paired t-test and ICC, and sensitivity and specificity values were determined (α = 0.05).Results: Kappa correlation coefficient for inter-student agreement and correct diagnoses was 0.22 (p value = 0.01); paired t-test correlation coefficient for the effect of gender on correct diagnosis was 0.31 (p value = 0.001); sensitivity was 0.234 and specificity was 0.969; false positive and false negative results were 3% and 76.5%, respectively. Mean percentages of correct diagnoses in the enamel and dentin were 22% and 23%, respectively.Conclusion: Under the limitations of the present study, it was concluded that the majority of teeth requiring restoration or other care measures based on radiographic evaluations are overlooked by senior dental students. On the other hand, the majority of sound teeth from a radiographic viewpoint are not erroneously diagnosed. Key words: Bitewing radiography, Dental caries, Students