ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate genotoxicity of zinc oxide, P. A. calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate and an iodoform paste using comet assay on human lymphocytes. Material and Methods: Two positive controls were used: methyl-methanesulfonate for the P.A. calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate; and doxorubicin for the iodoform paste and zinc oxide. There were also two negative controls: distilled water for the P.A. calcium hydroxide and mineral trioxide aggregate; and DMSO for the iodoform paste and zinc oxide. Comets were identified using fluorescence microscopy and 100 of them were counted on each of the three slides analyzed per drug test. A damage index was established, taking into consideration the score pattern that had previously been determined from the size and intensity of the comet tail. Analysis of variance, followed by Tukey’s test, was used to compare the means of the DNA damage indices. Results: The DNA damage index observed for mineral trioxide aggregate (7.08 to 8.58) and P.A. calcium hydroxide (6.50 to 8.33), which were similar to negative control index. On the other hand, damage index for zinc oxide (104.7 to 218.50) and iodoform paste (115.7 to 210.7) were similar to positive control index. Conclusion: Iodoform paste and zinc oxide showed genotoxicity at all concentrations used.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do envelhecimento, do gênero e de fatores relacionados ao estilo de vida na indução de danos cromossômicos (micronúcleo) e de alterações nucleares degenerativas com o uso do teste de micronúcleo em células esfoliadas da mucosa oral. A amostra incluiu oitenta indivíduos saudáveis divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com a faixa etária e o gênero: homens e mulheres de 19-29 anos (H19, M19), homens e mulheres com mais de sessenta anos (H60, M60). Questionário de entrevista foi aplicado para caracterizar a amostra e para determinar um índice refletindo o estilo de vida (IVS). A frequência de micronúcleos e alterações nucleares degenerativas foi significativamente maior entre os idosos (p<0,001) e não diferiu em função do gênero entre os jovens (p>0,05). Ocorrência de micronúcleos foi similar entre homens e mulheres idosos (p>0,10), mas cariorréxis e cariólise foram mais frequentes entre os homens (p<0,005 e p<0,025, respectivamente), que também apresentaram o menor IVS em relação aos demais grupos (p<0,0004). Os resultados deste estudo permitem concluir que a idade foi o principal fator associado à indução de danos ao material genético.

Abstract The effects of aging, gender and lifestyle factors on inducing chromosomal damage (micronuclei) and nuclear degenerative changes were assessed using the micronucleus test on exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa. The sample included 80 healthy subjects divided into four groups according to age and gender: men and women aged 19-29 years (M19, W19) and men and women aged over sixty years (M60, W60). An interview questionnaire was used to characterize the sample and to determine an index reflecting lifestyle (HLI). The frequency of micronuclei and nuclear degenerative changes was significantly higher among the elderly (p<0.001) and did not differ by gender among young people (p>0.05). The occurrence of micronuclei was similar among elderly men and women (p>0.10), but karyorrhexis and karyolysis were more frequent among men (p<0.005 and p<0.025, respectively), who also had a lower HLI than the other groups (p<0.0004). The results of the study indicate that age is the main factor associated with the induction of genetic material damage.

Chromosomal damage and apoptosis were analyzed in users of mouthwash and/or alcoholic beverages, using the micronucleus test on exfoliated oral mucosa cells. Samples from four groups of 20 individuals each were analyzed: three exposed groups (EG1, EG2 and EG3) and a control group (CG). EG1 comprised mouthwash users; EG2 comprised drinkers, and EG3 users of both mouthwashes and alcoholic beverages. Cell material was collected by gently scraping the insides of the cheeks. Then the cells were fixed in a methanol/acetic acid (3:1) solution and stained and counterstained, respectively, with Schiff reactive and fast green. Endpoints were computed on 2,000 cells in a blind test. Statistical analysis showed that chromosomal damage and apoptosis were significantly higher in individuals of groups EG1 and EG3 than in controls (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference in chromosomal damage and apoptosis was observed between the exposed groups. In EG2, only the occurrence of apoptosis was significantly higher than in the controls. These results suggest that mouthwashes alone or in association with alcoholic drinks induce genotoxic effects, manifested as chromosomal damage and apoptosis. They also suggest that alcoholic drinks are effective for stimulating the process of apoptosis. However, these data need to be confirmed in larger samples.

OBJETIVO: Identificar os fatores associados à pneumonia nosocomial em hospital público de Feira de Santana, Bahia. MÉTODOS: Este estudo caso-controle foi realizado em 211 indivíduos adultos (46 casos e 165 controles), com idade média de 41 anos, atendidos na Clínica Médica, Clínica Cirúrgica ou na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulta do Hospital Geral Clériston Andrade, em Feira de Santana. Os casos foram constituídos por indivíduos que desenvolveram infecção do trato respiratório (pneumonia nosocomial) após admissão hospitalar. Os controles foram formados por não portadores de pneumonia nosocomial. Informações socioeconómicas, história médica, estilo de vida e hábitos de higiene bucal foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas. Os prontuários foram checados para registro da condição de saúde do indivíduo e diagnóstico de pneumonia. Exame clínico bucal foi realizado por cirurgião-dentista treinado. Na análise bivariada, foi estimado o odds ratio (OR) como medida de associação e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%) com uso do método de Mantel-Haenzel. RESULTADOS: A frequência de pneumonia nosocomial na amostra foi de 21,8%. A ocorrência de hipertensão e o tempo de internamento foram maiores nos casos do que nos controles (p < 0,05). A falta de uso de fio dental e de enxaguatório bucal foram maiores no grupo controle (p = 0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Os achados apontam a hipertensão, tempo de internamento > 5 dias e ausência do fio dental e enxaguatório bucal como fatores possivelmente associados à pneumonia nosocomial, apontando-os como alvos efetivos de prevenção

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with nosocomial pneumonia in individuals admitted to apublic hospital in Feira de Santana, Bahia. METHODS: This case control study was carried out in 211 adult individuals (46 cases and 165 controls), of a mean age of 41 years, treated at clinical wards, surgical wards or the adult intensive care unit of Cleriston Andrade General Hospital in Feira de Santana. The cases comprised individuals who developed respiratory tract infections (nosocomial pneumonia) after hospital admission. The controls consisted of patients without nosocomial pneumonia. Information on socioeconomic status, medical history, lifestyle and oral hygiene habits was obtained through interviews. The medical records were checked to verify subjects' health status and the diagnosis opneumonia. A clinical oral examination was performed by a trained dental surgeon. Odds ratio (OR) was estimated in the bivariate analysis as an association measurement, along with the respective 95% confidence interval through the Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: The frequency of nosocomial pneumonia in the sample was 21.8%. The occurrence of hypertension was higher and hospital stay duration was longer in the cases than in controls (p ≤ 0.05). Lack of dental floss and mouthwash use were higher in the controls (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that arterial hypertension, length of hospital stay of five days and lack of dental floss and mouthwash use are factors likely associated with nosocomial pneumonia, suggesting that these factors should be targeted for effective prevention.