Factors associated with the municipal provision of orthodontics in the Brazilian Unified Health System

BACKGROUND

The Brazilian federal government issued Ministerial Ordinance No. 718 in 2010 to expand the funding of orthodontic treatment provided by Brazilian municipalities via the Unified Health System (SUS in Portuguese).

AIM

To identify social and structural factors associated with Brazilian municipalities that provide fixed orthodontic appliance therapy and interceptive orthodontic therapy.

METHODS

Official Brazilian government databases were used for data collection. Poisson regression with robust variance was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Municipalities hosting Dental Specialty Centers (DSCs) with greater installed capacity (type III DSC with 7 dental chairs or over), which employed dentists specializing in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, were more likely to offer orthodontic services via SUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Federal, state, and municipal managers need to review the funding of orthodontic services via SUS, which can be used for creating DSCs and hiring professionals with expertise in orthodontics.

Three-dimensional skeletal mandibular changes associated with Herbst appliance treatment

OBJECTIVES

Three-dimensional evaluation of skeletal mandibular changes following Herbst appliance treatment.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

Retrospective case-control study, based on a sample size calculation. Twenty-five pubertal patients treated with Herbst appliance (HAG), and 25 matched Class II patients who received other non-orthopaedic dental treatments (CG).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Three-dimensional models were generated from pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1) cone beam computed tomograms. Volumetric registration on the cranial base was used to assess mandibular displacement; volumetric regional registration was performed to evaluate mandibular growth. Quantitative measurements of X, Y, Z and 3D Euclidian changes, and also qualitative visualization by colour-mapping and semi-transparent overlays were obtained.

RESULTS

Downward displacement of the mandible was observed in both HAG and CG (2.4 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively). Significant forward displacement of the mandible was observed in the HAG (1.7 mm). HAG showed greater 3D superior and posterior condylar growth than the CG (3.5 mm and 2.0 mm, respectively). Greater posterior growth of the ramus was noted in the HAG than in CG.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediately after Herbst therapy, a significant mandibular forward displacement was achieved, due to increased bone remodelling of the condyles and rami compared to a comparison group. Three-dimensional changes in the direction and magnitude of condylar growth were observed in Herbst patients.

Effects of packaging, mineral oil coating, and storage time on biogenic amine levels and internal quality of eggs

This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the effects of mineral oil application on eggshells and the use of plastic packages with lids on the physical-chemical and microbiological quality and biogenic amine contents of eggs stored under refrigeration for up to 125 d. A total of 1,920 eggs from 46-wk-old Hyline W36 laying hens were randomly distributed into 4 groups soon after classification: (i) 480 eggs were stored in pulp carton tray packages; (ii) 480 eggs were stored in plastic packages with lids; (iii) 480 eggs were stored in carton packages after the application of mineral oil; and (iv) 480 eggs were stored in plastic packages with lids after the application of mineral oil. The internal quality was measured by Haugh units, by the counts of mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms, by the most probable number of total and thermal-tolerant coliforms, by the counts of molds and yeasts, by the analysis of Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus spp., and by the levels of biogenic amines in the egg yolk and albumen. The application of mineral oil to the eggshell resulted in higher Haugh unit values throughout storage, and the use of plastic packages altered the internal quality. The application of mineral oil and the use of packaging had no effects on the microbiological and biogenic amine results. Microbiological analyses showed the absence of Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, thermal-tolerant coliforms, and fungi. However, the highest counts of mesophilic (1.1 × 10(7) cfu/g) and psychrotrophic (6.7 × 10(7) cfu/g) microorganisms were recorded. The highest values of biogenic amines detected and quantified were putrescine (2.38 mg/kg) and cadaverine (7.27 mg/kg) in the egg yolk and putrescine (1.95 mg/kg), cadaverine (2.83 mg/kg), and phenylethylamine (2.57 mg/kg) in the albumen. Despite these results, the biogenic amine levels recorded were considered low and would not be harmful to consumer health.

Effect of increased post length due to the presence of the remaining coronal structure on the fracture strength of post-retained restorations

This study evaluated the effects of the remaining coronal tissue and post type on the fracture strength of incisors. Sixty human maxillary central incisors were sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction or at 2 mm above this junction. The roots received cast cores and posts, fibre posts, or relined fibre posts (n = 10 each). A compressive load was applied over the cores untilfracture. In the absence of coronal structure, the fracture strength did not differ among the post types evaluated. In the presence of remaining coronal structure, the fracture strength was higher in specimens with cast cores and posts.

Toxicity of sediments from a mangrove forest patch in an urban area in Pernambuco (Brazil)

Industrial and urban residues are discharged every day to the rivers and may arrive at the mangrove forest and prejudice the quality of the environment and the organisms present there. The mangrove forest patch studied is encircled by an urban area of the city of Recife (Brazil) that has approximate 1.5 million inhabitants and is one of the most industrialized centers in Northeast Brazil. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the sediments of this mangrove patch in terms of metal contamination and ecotoxicology. Samples of surface sediment were collected in six stations for toxicological tests and trace metal determination (Cr, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Co and Ni), in July and August, 2006 (rainy season); and in January and February 2007 (dry season). Toxicity tests with solid-phase sediments were carried out with the copepod Tisbe biminiensis in order to observe lethal and sub-lethal endpoints and correlate them with chemical data. In June, there were no observed lethal effect, but two stations presented sub-lethal effects. In January, lethal effect occurred in three stations and sub-lethal in one station. The levels for Zn and Cr were at higher levels than international proposed guidelines (NOAA). There was a negative significant correlation between the copepods׳ fecundity, and Zn and Cr concentrations. Therefore, the studied sediments can be considered to have potential toxic to benthos due to the high content of Zn and Cr.

Catechol cytotoxicity in vitro: Induction of glioblastoma cell death by apoptosis

The exposure to benzene is a public health problem. Although the most well-known effect of benzene is hematopoietic toxicity, there is little information about the benzene and its metabolites effects on the central nervous system (CNS). This study examined the toxic effects of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol), a benzene metabolite, to human glioblastoma GL-15 cells. GL-15 cell cultures were used as a model to provide more information about the toxic effects of aromatic compounds to the CNS. Catechol induced time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects. Morphological changes, such as the retraction of the cytoplasm and chromatin clumping, were seen in cells exposed to 200 μM catechol for 48 hours. In cells exposed to 600 μM catechol for 48 hours, 78.0% of them presented condensed nuclei, and the Comet assay showed DNA damage. The percentage of cells labeled with annexin V (apoptotic cells) was greater in the group exposed to catechol (20.7%) than in control cells (0.4%). Exposure to catechol at concentrations greater than 100 μM enhanced Bax levels, and a decrease in Bcl-2 level was observed after the exposure to 600 μM catechol for 48 hours. Furthermore, catechol depleted reduced glutathione. Hence, catechol induced cell death mainly by apoptosis.

Tooth displacement due to occlusal contacts: a three-dimensional finite element study

The use of the Finite Element Method (FE) is an appropriate way to study occlusal forces and tooth movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different occlusal contact patterns on tooth displacement in an adult dentition using a three-dimensional FE model of a human maxilla and mandible. Initially, images of a computerized tomography scan were redrawn in a computer program (CATIA) followed by the FE mesh construction. The MSC/Patran software was used to develop the FE mesh comprising 520,445 elements and 106,633 nodes. The MSC/Nastran program was utilized as pre and post-processor for all mathematical calculations necessary to evaluate dental and mandibular biomechanics. Four occlusal patterns were tested: FEM 1 - standard occlusal contacts; FEM 2 - removal of mesial marginal and mesial tripoidism contacts; FEM 3 - removal of distal marginal and distal tripoidism contacts; FEM 4 - similar to FEM 3 with added contacts between upper and lower incisors. Small changes in the standard distribution of occlusal contacts resulted in an imbalance of occlusal forces and changes in dental positioning. All simulations tested showed mesial displacement of posterior teeth. The most significant changes were registered in the model presenting unstable occlusal contacts when the anterior teeth were in occlusion (FEM 4). These findings may explain mandibular incisors crowding and maxillary incisors flaring as a result of small variations in dental contacts.