Tongue prosthesis after total glossectomy: a case report

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the type of cancer that most frequently affects the oral cavity, mainly in men older than 50 years of age. Treatment for oral SCC often involves surgical excision of the affected margins, resulting in mutilation that affects the patient's quality of life. The objective of this case report is to describe the prosthetic treatment of a 56-year-old man who underwent total glossectomy, resulting in speech and swallowing difficulties. The proposed treatment was a tongue prosthesis retained by orthodontic clasps on the mandibular first molars. After maxillary and mandibular complete-arch impressions were performed and casts were prepared for prosthetic planning, an acrylic resin plate and 3 tongue prototypes were fabricated. Esthetic and functional tests were carried out, and 2 tongue models (1 for speech and 1 for eating) were selected for acrylization, finishing, and polishing. After placement of the prostheses, the patient was referred for follow-up with a speech therapist to improve his adaptation with the prostheses. The patient was satisfied with the prostheses and able to perform the functions of chewing, swallowing, and speech production, which helped in his social reintegration and improved his quality of life.

Biotechnological and socio-environmental potential of Campomanesia adamantium (Myrtaceae): an interdisciplinary review

Guavira (Campomanesia adamantium, Myrtaceae) is a native fruit from the Brazilian Cerrado savanna and is socio-economically important for the indigenous and traditional people living in the Central-West. This is a bibliographic review of the biological properties of guavira and its derivatives, and, after discussing experimental studies, an interdisciplinary approach is conducted highlighting the im-portance of Agroforestry Systems as an ecological restoration tool to leverage the production chain of guavira while providing ecosystem services. Many research groups studied effects of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds and biological properties of this fruit and other plant parts such as antibiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-diarrheic and antitumoral activities, cardiovascular and hepatic protection and action against neuropathic pain. Besides, guavira by-products benefit poultry intestinal health, similarly to antibiotics added to their feed. Furthermore, several biotechnological products were found, like pulp flour, seasoning from the peel, sunscreen, and seed oil similar to olive oil with pharmaceutical and industrial potential. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of guavira for restoration and preservation of the threatened Brazilian Cerrado, and for the socio-environmental development of family agriculture. The same approach and study are welcome and necessary in other regions and domains worldwide having their native flora as means for a restorative end.

Color stability and surface roughness of resin-ceramics with different surface treatments: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Surface treatments for resin-ceramics have been developed to obtain a smooth surface and improve color stability. However, a consensus on the best treatment for these materials is lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the color stability and roughness of glass-ceramics versus resin-ceramics with different surface treatments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and the study was registered in the open science framework (OSF) for in vitro studies. The population, intervention, control, and outcome (PICO) question was "Is there a difference in color stability and roughness between resin-ceramic vs vitreous ceramics in different surface treatment protocols?" A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases up to January 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute's critical assessment guidelines for quasi-experimental studies were used for quality assessment. The meta-analysis was based on the inverse variance (IV) method (α=.05).

RESULTS

A total of 18 laboratory studies were published between 2015 and 2022, with a total of 2160 specimens, all of which were analyzed qualitatively. The meta-analysis indicated significantly less optical alteration for lithium disilicate ceramics (P<.01; MD: 2.69; 95% CI: 2.00-3.39; I²=89%, P<.01), even when compared with resin-ceramics with polish or sealants (P<.01; MD: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.59-3.30; I²=87%, P<.01) and (P<.01; MD: 3.24; 95% CI: 2.02-4.47; I²=89%, P<.01), while there was no significant difference in surface roughness (P=.08; MD: -0.71; CI 95%: -1.52 to 0.09; I²=87%, P<.01) (P=.33; MD: -0.31; CI 95%: -0.94 to 0.32; I²=87%, P<.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Resin-ceramics that have been polished or treated with sealants have lower color stability than glazed glass-ceramics; however, they are similar in terms of surface roughness.

Evaluation of bond strength of glass and resin-ceramics with laser phototherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Laser phototherapy has been studied as a surface treatment capable of increasing the adhesion of cement to the ceramic surface. However, the bond strength of glass and resin-ceramics after laser phototherapy is unclear.

PURPOSE

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the bond strength of glass and resin-ceramics using laser therapy and conventional hydrofluoric acid etching.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) for in vitro studies. A population, intervention, control, and outcome (PICO) question was formulated: "Does phototherapy promote better bond strength in glass and resin-ceramics than conventional hydrofluoric acid etching?" A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases up to January 2023. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical assessment guidelines for quasi-experimental studies were used for quality assessment. The meta-analysis was based on the inverse variance (IV) method (α=.05).

RESULTS

A total of 6 in vitro studies published between 2007 and 2019 with a total number of 348 specimens were included for qualitative analysis; 1 study had a positive effect. Five of the studies were included in the meta-analysis, which indicated a significant decrease for feldspathic ceramics that received laser phototherapy and lithium disilicate (P=.002; MD: -2.15; 95% CI: -3.53 to -0.77; I²=89%, P<.01) and (P<.01; MD: -2.13; 95% CI: -2.99 to -1.27; I²=82%, P<.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser irradiation as surface etching of glass ceramics does not produce a bond strength equal to that of conventional hydrofluoric acid etching.

Análisis crítico de los factores de riesgo del carcinoma oral de células escamosa

Analise crítica dos fatores de risco para o carcinoma oral de células escamosas O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a produção científica a respeito dos fatores de riscos para o desenvolvimento do carcinoma oral de células escamosas em um período de dez anos. Foram realizadas buscas virtuais nos bancos MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO, Scielo e Cochrane library. Os fatores de risco associados a essas neoplasias malignas foram: cigarro/tabaco, álcool, raça, localização geográfica, nível educacional, estado da dentição, nível de higiene e práticas sexuais. Considerando o levantamento realizado, pôde-se notar que as neoplasias orais malignas afetam predominantemente indivíduos do sexo masculino, mas nos últimos anos tem-se notado um aumento da ocorrência de casos em mulheres assim como, os fatores de risco associados a esta doença foram predominantemente as práticas etilistas e o uso do tabaco.

Use of silicone finger prostheses in amputee patients: An integrative review

This study aimed to perform an integrative review of the literature on the use of silicone finger prostheses in amputee patients. Searches were performed in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scielo, and Cochrane Library databases until July 2021. Descriptors used in this article were: Silicone, finger, rehabilitation, and prosthesis. Clinical research and clinical reports on silicone finger prostheses, available in full and in English were included. Initially, 152 articles were identified. After establishing the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 23 studies were identified and constituted the final sample. Regarding the publication date of the included studies, 17.2% of them were published between 2012 and 2016. Most of the rehabilitations occurred in India (69.9%; n = 16), and the mean age of patients who used prostheses was 38.1 years. The level of scientific evidence of the included studies was IV and VI. Therefore, patients rehabilitated with silicone finger prostheses highlighted significant improvements in functional range of motion, restoration of self-esteem, advantages in psychological therapy, more pleasant social interaction, and changes in their quality of life.

Culture of rat mesenchymal stem cells on PHBV-PCL scaffolds: analysis of conditioned culture medium by FT-Raman spectroscopy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential for application in cell therapy and tissue engineering procedures because of their plasticity and capacity to differentiate into different cell types. Given the widespread use of MSCs, it is necessary to better understand some properties related to osteogenic differentiation, particularly those linked to biomaterials used in tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to develop an analysis method using FT-Raman spectroscopy for the identification and quantification of biochemical components present in conditioned culture media derived from MSCs with or without induction of osteogenic differentiation. All experiments were performed between passages 3 and 5. For this analysis, MSCs were cultured on scaffolds composed of bioresorbable poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymers. MSCs (GIBCO®) were inoculated onto the pure polymers and 75:25 PHBV/PCL blend (dense and porous samples). The plate itself was used as control. The cells were maintained in DMEM (with low glucose) containing GlutaMAX® and 10% FBS at 37oC with 5% CO2 for 21 days. The conditioned culture media were collected and analyzed to probe for functional groups, as well as possible molecular variations associated with cell differentiation and metabolism. The method permitted to identify functional groups of specific molecules in the conditioned medium such as cholesterol, phosphatidylinositol, triglycerides, beta-subunit polypeptides, amide regions and hydrogen bonds of proteins, in addition to DNA expression. In the present study, FT-Raman spectroscopy exhibited limited resolution since different molecules can express similar or even the same stretching vibrations, a fact that makes analysis difficult. There were no variations in the readings between the samples studied. In conclusion, FT-Raman spectroscopy did not meet expectations under the conditions studied.

Electric field effects in the excitation of cold Rydberg-atom pairs

In this work, we study the role of the ac Stark effects on the excitation of nS1/2 cold Rydberg atoms produced in a rubidium magneto-optical trap. We have observed an atomic population in the nP3/2 state after excitation of nS1/2 for 29<or=n<or=37. Such an observation is normally attributed to binary collisions; however, the interaction between Rb nS1/2 atoms is repulsive. To explain our results, the dipole-dipole interaction and ac Stark shifts from the excitation laser must be considered. We find that the Rydberg-atom-pair state asymptotically correlating to nP3/2+(n-1)P3/2 is excited directly.