Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of frozen storage on the physical properties of a silicone-based test food material, highly used to evaluate the masticatory performance in research settings. Methods A total of 1,666 silicone cubes of Optosil Comfort® with 5.6-mm edges were shaped and stored at -18°C. The cubes were subsequently tested for flexural strength (maximum force, displacement, stress, and strain) before breaking (n = 136), changes in weight and size (n = 170), and masticatory performance (n = 1360) at eight timepoints: immediately after cube preparation (baseline, no freezing), and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and 2, 4 and 6 months after frozen storage. The cubes were thawed 8 h before each assessment. Results The maximum force, stress, maximum displacement, and deformation values for the cubes were not affected by freezing (P > 0.05). At all of the time points, the cubes exhibited similar weight (P = 0.366) and size (identical values). The masticatory performance for the cubes also showed no differences from baseline through 6 months (P = 0.061). Conclusion Freezing Optosil Comfort® silicone cubes did not alter the physical and mechanical properties of the material, being suitable to optimize the assessment of masticatory parameters for research purposes.

Aim This cross-sectional observational study aimed to evaluate the influence of the Universities lockdown measures on academic perspectives and psychosocial aspects of Brazilian final-year dental students. Methods 268 undergraduate students regularly enrolled in a Dentistry course at public universities were asked about anxiety, depression, stress sensitivity, and their academic perspectives by using an online survey. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiety and depression, while the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) evaluated stress levels. The academic perspective was evaluated by five affirmatives regarding possible difficulties that will be faced when school reopens and after graduation. The possible association between fear of having COVID-19 with psychosocial outcomes and COVID-19 association with academic perspectives were analyzed by ANOVA and chi-square tests, respectively, considering a significance level of 5%. Results Considering possible associations between the fear of having COVID-19 and psychosocial aspects, significant values were found for anxiety (P = 0.018) and stress sensitivity (P = 0.002). Regarding students’ academic perspectives, COVID-19 had significant impact on less opportunity to perform procedures (P = 0.023), additional expenses with personal protective equipment (P = 0.007), and concerns of consulting elderly people (P = 0.012). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased psychological impairments and enlarged concerns with learning and biosecurity, which might impact academic perspectives. Thus, being aware of these apprehensions, university professors and staff can improve the clinical training of final-year dental students in an empathetic way.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between two Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) questionnaires (the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI)) and to investigate the factors associated with the OHRQoL of institutionalized elderly individuals. A cross-sectional multicenter study was performed with 344 institutionalized elderly individuals residing in two Brazilian cities. Six trained researchers interviewed the elderly individuals. Sociodemographic data were collected from medical records. Dental caries experience and the use of and need for dentures were recorded through oral examination performed by two trained examiners. A Likert scale (1–5 points) was used to assess general health and self-perceived oral health. The number of chewing cycles needed to chew a portion of peanuts was used to assess the swallowing threshold. The OHIP-14 and GOHAI were used to evaluate OHRQoL, and statistically significant correlations were assessed using Spearman’s correlation test (p < 0.05). Poisson regression (p < 0.05) was used to investigate the association of OHRQoL with independent variables. Scores on the OHIP-14 (7.57 ± 8.63) and GOHAI (32.46 ± 3.85) were strongly and inversely correlated (r2 = -0.671, p < 0.001), although these measures were associated with different factors. A higher OHIP-14 total score (worse OHRQoL) was associated with female gender, a greater number of healthy teeth, worse self-perceived general health and oral health, and a lower swallowing threshold (p < 0.05). A higher GOHAI total score (better OHRQoL) was associated with a greater number of filled teeth, better self-perceived oral health and a greater swallowing threshold (p < 0.05). In conclusion, worse OHRQoL among institutionalized elderly individuals is associated with worse self-perceived oral health and a greater swallowing threshold.

O estudo teve por objetivo analisar padrões espaciais e tendências temporais da mortalidade relacionada à hanseníase no Estado do Piauí, Brasil, de 2000 a 2015. Trata-se de estudo ecológico misto, com abordagem espacial e temporal, de base estadual, a partir de dados do Sistema de Informaçãos sobre Mortalidade. A análise inclui características epidemiológicas, tendências de mortalidade por regressão Joinpoint e análise espacial, usando os 224 municípios como unidade geográfica. Dos 245.413 óbitos identificados, a hanseníase foi identificada em 324 declarações, 135 (41,7%) como causa básica de óbito e 189 (58,3%) como associada. Os maiores coeficientes de mortalidade relacionados à hanseníase foram observados entre homens (risco relativo - RR = 2,38; IC95%: 1,87; 3,03), idosos (RR = 10,52; IC95%: 7,16; 15,46), cor parda (RR = 2,22; IC95%: 1,47; 3,35) e residentes do interior do estado (RR = 5,72; IC95%: 4,54; 7,21). O coeficiente bruto de mortalidade relacionado à hanseníase apresentou incremento significativo entre idosos (70 anos), raça/cor parda, em cidades com menos de 20 mil habitantes e região Meio-norte, mas não significativo para o Estado do Piauí. A distribuição espacial pelos coeficientes de mortalidade ajustada por idade foi heterogênea nos municípios, concentrando altos coeficientes de mortalidade no norte do estado, próximo ao litoral. Verificou-se padrão de aumento dos coeficientes de mortalidade suavizados no decorrer dos quadriênios do estudo, concentrando altos coeficientes nas regiões Meio-norte e Semiárido. A mortalidade por hanseníase é espacialmente heterogênea e crescente ao longo dos anos. Ressalta-se a importância de potencializar ações integradas de vigilância e atenção à saúde.

The study aimed to analyze spatial patterns and time trends in leprosy-related mortality in the State of Piauí, Brazil, from 2000 to 2015. This was a mixed ecological study with a spatial and temporal state-based approach, using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. The analysis includes epidemiological characteristics, mortality trends by Joinpoint regression, and spatial analysis, using the state’s 224 municipalities (counties) as the geographic unit. Of the 245,413 deaths identified, leprosy was identified in 234 death certificates, 135 (41.7%) as the underlying cause of death and 189 (58.3%) as an associated cause of death. The highest leprosy-related mortality rates were associated with male gender (relative risk - RR = 2.38; 95%CI: 1.87; 3.03), elderly age (RR = 10.52; 95%CI: 7.16; 15.46), brown skin color (RR = 2.22; 95%CI: 1.47; 3.35), and residents of the state’s interior (RR = 5.72; 95%CI: 4.54; 7.21). The crude leprosy-related mortality rate showed a significant increase among the elderly (70 years), brown race/color, cities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, and the Central region of the state, but not significant for the State of Piauí as a whole. The spatial distribution by age-adjusted mortality was heterogeneous in the municipalities, concentrating high mortality rates in the northern region of the state, close to the coastline. There was a pattern of increasing smoothed mortality rates over the course of the study’s four-year periods in the Mid-northern Central and Semiarid regions. Leprosy mortality was spatially heterogeneous and growing over the years. The findings highlight the importance of enhancing integrated surveillance and healthcare activities.

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar patrones espaciales y tendencias temporales de mortalidad, relacionada con la hanseniasis en el Estado de Piauí, Brasil, de 2000 a 2015. Se trata de un estudio ecológico mixto, con un abordaje espacial y temporal, de base estatal, a partir de datos del Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad. El análisis incluye características epidemiológicas, tendencias de mortalidad por regresión Joinpoint y análisis espacial, usando 224 municipios como unidad geográfica. De los 245.413 óbitos identificados, la hanseniasis fue identificada en 324 declaraciones, 135 (41,7%) como causa básica de óbito y 189 (58,3%) como asociada. Los mayores coeficientes de mortalidad relacionada con la hanseniasis se observaron entre hombres (riesgo relativo - RR = 2,38; IC95%: 1,87; 3,03), ancianos (RR = 10,52; IC95%: 7,16; 15,46), color pardo (RR = 2,22; IC95%: 1,47; 3,35) y residentes en el interior del estado (RR = 5,72; IC95%: 4,54; 7,21). El coeficiente bruto de mortalidad relacionado con la hanseniasis presentó un incremento significativo entre ancianos (70 años), raza/color pardo, en ciudades con menos de 20.000 habitantes y región Medio-norte, pero no es significativo para el Estado de Piauí. La distribución espacial por los coeficientes de mortalidad ajustada por edad fue heterogénea en los municipios, concentrando altos coeficientes de mortalidad en el norte del estado, cercano al litoral. Se verificó un patrón de aumento de los coeficientes de mortalidad suavizados en el transcurso de los cuatrienios del estudio, concentrando altos coeficientes en las regiones Medio-norte y Semiárida. La mortalidad por hanseniasis es heterogénea espacialmente y creciente a lo largo de los años. Se resalta la importancia de potenciar acciones integradas de vigilancia y atención a la salud.

O estudo teve por objetivo analisar padrões espaciais e tendências temporais da mortalidade relacionada à hanseníase no Estado do Piauí, Brasil, de 2000 a 2015. Trata-se de estudo ecológico misto, com abordagem espacial e temporal, de base estadual, a partir de dados do Sistema de Informaçãos sobre Mortalidade. A análise inclui características epidemiológicas, tendências de mortalidade por regressão Joinpoint e análise espacial, usando os 224 municípios como unidade geográfica. Dos 245.413 óbitos identificados, a hanseníase foi identificada em 324 declarações, 135 (41,7%) como causa básica de óbito e 189 (58,3%) como associada. Os maiores coeficientes de mortalidade relacionados à hanseníase foram observados entre homens (risco relativo - RR = 2,38; IC95%: 1,87; 3,03), idosos (RR = 10,52; IC95%: 7,16; 15,46), cor parda (RR = 2,22; IC95%: 1,47; 3,35) e residentes do interior do estado (RR = 5,72; IC95%: 4,54; 7,21). O coeficiente bruto de mortalidade relacionado à hanseníase apresentou incremento significativo entre idosos (70 anos), raça/cor parda, em cidades com menos de 20 mil habitantes e região Meio-norte, mas não significativo para o Estado do Piauí. A distribuição espacial pelos coeficientes de mortalidade ajustada por idade foi heterogênea nos municípios, concentrando altos coeficientes de mortalidade no norte do estado, próximo ao litoral. Verificou-se padrão de aumento dos coeficientes de mortalidade suavizados no decorrer dos quadriênios do estudo, concentrando altos coeficientes nas regiões Meio-norte e Semiárido. A mortalidade por hanseníase é espacialmente heterogênea e crescente ao longo dos anos. Ressalta-se a importância de potencializar ações integradas de vigilância e atenção à saúde.

The study aimed to analyze spatial patterns and time trends in leprosy-related mortality in the State of Piauí, Brazil, from 2000 to 2015. This was a mixed ecological study with a spatial and temporal state-based approach, using data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System. The analysis includes epidemiological characteristics, mortality trends by Joinpoint regression, and spatial analysis, using the state’s 224 municipalities (counties) as the geographic unit. Of the 245,413 deaths identified, leprosy was identified in 234 death certificates, 135 (41.7%) as the underlying cause of death and 189 (58.3%) as an associated cause of death. The highest leprosy-related mortality rates were associated with male gender (relative risk - RR = 2.38; 95%CI: 1.87; 3.03), elderly age (RR = 10.52; 95%CI: 7.16; 15.46), brown skin color (RR = 2.22; 95%CI: 1.47; 3.35), and residents of the state’s interior (RR = 5.72; 95%CI: 4.54; 7.21). The crude leprosy-related mortality rate showed a significant increase among the elderly (70 years), brown race/color, cities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, and the Central region of the state, but not significant for the State of Piauí as a whole. The spatial distribution by age-adjusted mortality was heterogeneous in the municipalities, concentrating high mortality rates in the northern region of the state, close to the coastline. There was a pattern of increasing smoothed mortality rates over the course of the study’s four-year periods in the Mid-northern Central and Semiarid regions. Leprosy mortality was spatially heterogeneous and growing over the years. The findings highlight the importance of enhancing integrated surveillance and healthcare activities.

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar patrones espaciales y tendencias temporales de mortalidad, relacionada con la hanseniasis en el Estado de Piauí, Brasil, de 2000 a 2015. Se trata de un estudio ecológico mixto, con un abordaje espacial y temporal, de base estatal, a partir de datos del Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad. El análisis incluye características epidemiológicas, tendencias de mortalidad por regresión Joinpoint y análisis espacial, usando 224 municipios como unidad geográfica. De los 245.413 óbitos identificados, la hanseniasis fue identificada en 324 declaraciones, 135 (41,7%) como causa básica de óbito y 189 (58,3%) como asociada. Los mayores coeficientes de mortalidad relacionada con la hanseniasis se observaron entre hombres (riesgo relativo - RR = 2,38; IC95%: 1,87; 3,03), ancianos (RR = 10,52; IC95%: 7,16; 15,46), color pardo (RR = 2,22; IC95%: 1,47; 3,35) y residentes en el interior del estado (RR = 5,72; IC95%: 4,54; 7,21). El coeficiente bruto de mortalidad relacionado con la hanseniasis presentó un incremento significativo entre ancianos (70 años), raza/color pardo, en ciudades con menos de 20.000 habitantes y región Medio-norte, pero no es significativo para el Estado de Piauí. La distribución espacial por los coeficientes de mortalidad ajustada por edad fue heterogénea en los municipios, concentrando altos coeficientes de mortalidad en el norte del estado, cercano al litoral. Se verificó un patrón de aumento de los coeficientes de mortalidad suavizados en el transcurso de los cuatrienios del estudio, concentrando altos coeficientes en las regiones Medio-norte y Semiárida. La mortalidad por hanseniasis es heterogénea espacialmente y creciente a lo largo de los años. Se resalta la importancia de potenciar acciones integradas de vigilancia y atención a la salud.

Abstract INTRODUCTION The incidence of syphilis has increased since the 1970s. METHODS This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample. RESULTS: Of 973 patients with human immunodeficiency virus, 179 (18.4%) tested positive for both human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis, 84.8% were men, 50.9% were aged between 36 and 50 years, 47.8% with syphilis were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus for 10-20 years, and 40.3% received antiretroviral therapy for 10-20 years. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of syphilis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus is higher than expected, making it urgent to adopt efficient public health measures.

OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os achados de ressonância magnética convencional, difusão e espectroscopia de prótons nos meduloblastomas, e compará-los aos dados da literatura. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de exames de ressonância magnética pré-operatórios de nove pacientes na faixa pediátrica com diagnóstico histológico de meduloblastoma (oito desmoplásicos e um de células gigantes). Foram considerados dados demográficos e características do tumor como localização, característica morfológica, intensidade de sinal, realce, disseminação e achados na difusão e espectroscopia. RESULTADOS: Na maioria dos casos os tumores apresentaram epicentro no vermis cerebelar (77,8%), sendo predominantemente sólido (88,9%), com hipossinal nas seqüências ponderadas em T1 e iso/hipersinal nas seqüências ponderadas em T2 e FLAIR, realce heterogêneo (100%), sinais de disseminação/extensão tumoral (77,8%) e restrição à movimentação das moléculas de água (100%). A espectroscopia de prótons pela técnica STEAM (n = 6) demonstrou redução da relação Naa/Cr (83,3%) e aumento de Co/Cr (100%) e mI/Cr (66,7%), e pela técnica PRESS (n = 7) evidenciou pico de lactato (57,1%). CONCLUSÃO: O conjunto dos achados macroscópicos obtidos pela ressonância magnética, somado às características bioquímicas dos meduloblastomas, têm sido úteis na tentativa de diferenciação entre os principais tumores da fossa posterior.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate imaging findings of medulloblastomas at conventional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, comparing them with data in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies of nine pediatric patients with histologically confirmed medulloblastomas (eight desmoplastic medulloblastoma, and one giant cell medulloblastoma) were retrospectively reviewed, considering demographics as well as tumors characteristics such as localization, morphology, signal intensity, contrast-enhancement, dissemination, and diffusion-weighted imaging and spectroscopy findings. RESULTS: In most of cases the tumors were centered in the cerebellar vermis (77.8%), predominantly solid (88.9%), hypointense on T1-weighted images and intermediate/hyperintense on T2-FLAIR-weighted images, with heterogeneous enhancement (100%), tumor dissemination/extension (77.8%) and limited water molecule mobility (100%). Proton spectroscopy acquired with STEAM technique (n = 6) demonstrated decreased Naa/Cr ratio (83.3%) and increased Co/Cr (100%) and mI/Cr (66.7%) ratios; and with PRESS technique (n = 7) demonstrated lactate peak (57.1%). CONCLUSION: Macroscopic magnetic resonance imaging findings in association with biochemical features of medulloblastomas have been useful in the differentiation among the most frequent posterior fossa tumors.

OBJETIVO: Possibilitar a distinção entre tecidos sãos e patológicos em pacientes da faixa etária pediátrica portadores de tumores da fossa posterior, por meio da análise de parâmetros texturais calculados a partir de imagens de ressonância magnética. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 14 pacientes da faixa etária pediátrica, portadores de tumores da fossa posterior, através da definição dos valores texturais das regiões de interesse representando tecidos sãos e patológicos, com base em imagens de ressonância magnética pesadas em T2 pelo "software" MaZda. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os tecidos normal e tumoral, bem como entre os tecidos presumidamente normais adjacentes e distantes da lesão. Não foi possível a distinção entre edema e tumor. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação textural por ressonância magnética é uma técnica útil para a determinação de diferenças entre diversos tipos de tecidos, inclusive entre áreas de tecidos presumidamente normais à análise visual.

OBJECTIVE: To distinguish healthy from pathological tissues in pediatric patients with posterior cranial fossa tumors using calculated textural parameters from magnetic resonance images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 14 pediatric patients with posterior cranial fossa tumors using the software MaZda to define the texture parameters in selected regions of interest representing healthy and pathological tissues based on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between normal and tumoral tissues as well as between supposedly normal tissues adjacent and distant from the tumoral lesion. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance textural evaluation is an useful tool for determining differences among various tissues, including tissues that appear apparently normal on visual analysis.

Os autores relatam um caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, com idade cronológica de sete anos, idade óssea de 11 anos, aparecimento de mamas Tanner III bilateralmente, cuja investigação diagnóstica confirmou quadro de puberdade precoce dependente de gonadotrofinas, e a ressonância magnética da hipófise evidenciou duplicação da haste e da glândula hipofisária associada a hamartoma hipotalâmico.

The authors report a case of a female patient with chronological age of 7 years and bone age of 11 years, presenting with bilateral breast stage Tanner III and gonadotrophin-dependent precocious puberty. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sellar region demonstrated duplication of the pituitary gland and stalk associated with a hypothalamic hamartoma.