ABSTRACT: This study evaluated chromium and quantitative and qualitative feed restriction as alternative nutritional strategies to ractopamine in finishing barrows. Fifty barrows, genetically similar, with an initial body weight of 99.0 ± 4.3 kg and a final body weight of 117.2 ± 5.8 kg were used. The animals were distributed in a randomized complete block design with five nutritional treatments (Control; Rac = 10ppm ractopamine; Chromium = 0,8mg chromium yeast; Quality = qualitative restriction, 7.5% less net energy in the diet; Quanti = 15% quantitative reduction in feed supply), with five replicates and two animals per replicate. Chromium supplementation and quantitative feed restriction reduced feed, lysine, net energy, and crude protein intakes (P < 0.05). Chromium, ractopamine, and quantitative restriction improved feed conversion (P < 0.05). Supplementation with chromium and ractopamine and feed restriction did not influence the carcass characteristics of the pigs (P < 0.05). Quantitative feed restriction and supplementation of 0.8mg of chromium yeast are presented as potential alternatives to ractopamine in the diet of finishing pigs.

RESUMO: O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o cromo e restrições alimentares quantitativa e qualitativa como estratégias nutricionais alternativas a ractopamina para suínos machos castrados em terminação. Foram utilizados 50 suínos machos castrados, geneticamente similares, com peso inicial de 99,0 ± 4,3 kg e final de 117,2 ± 5,8 kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso em cinco tratamentos nutricionais (Controle; Rac = 10ppm de ractopamina; Cromo = 0,8mg de cromo levedura; Qualit = restrição qualitativa com menos 7,5% de energia líquida na dieta e Quanti = redução quantitativa de 15% no fornecimento de ração), com cinco repetições e dois animais por repetição. A suplementação de cromo e a restrição alimentar quantitativa reduziram (P < 0,05) os consumos de ração, lisina digestível, energia líquida e proteína bruta. O cromo, a ractopamina e a restrição quantitativa melhoraram (P < 0,05) a conversão alimentar. A suplementação de cromo, ractopamina e as restrições alimentares não influenciam (P < 0,05) as características de carcaça dos suínos. A restrição alimentar quantitativa e a suplementação de 0,8 mg de cromo levedura se apresentam como potenciais alternativas para a substituição da ractopamina nas dietas.

Abstract Objective To construct and validate a synchronous and observational telesimulation design in nursing for care according to in-hospital basic life support protocol for adults. Methods A methodological study based on the phases of the theoretical procedure carried out through a scoping review; empirical phase developed through the telesimulated design content validity and analytical phase in which the content validity index was adopted. Results A care design was constructed according to the basic life support protocol, going through six steps: planning, preparation, participation, teledebriefing, assessment and feedback and additional learning, with a Content Validity Index of 0.96. Conclusion The developed design was considered valid in content to plan and execute telesimulation by nursing and still be adapted to other educational contexts.

Resumen Objetivo Elaborar y validar un diseño de telesimulación sincrónica y observacional de enfermería para la atención de acuerdo con el protocolo de soporte vital básico intrahospitalario en adultos. Métodos Estudio metodológico basado en las fases del procedimiento teórico realizado por medio de una scoping review, fase empírica llevada cabo a través de la validación de contenido del diseño telesimulado y fase analítica en la que se adoptó el índice de validez de contenido. Resultados Se elaboró un diseño para la atención de acuerdo con el protocolo de soporte vital básico que atravesó seis etapas: planificación, preparación, participación, teledebriefing, evaluación y feedback y aprendizaje adicional, con un Índice de Validez de Contenido de 0,96. Conclusión El diseño elaborado fue considerado válido en contenido para planificar y ejecutar la telesimulación por parte de enfermeros y además puede adaptarse a otros contextos educativos.

Resumo Objetivo Construir e validar um design de telessimulação síncrona e observacional em enfermagem para o atendimento segundo o protocolo de suporte básico de vida intra-hospitalar no adulto. Métodos Estudo metodológico baseado nas fases do procedimento teórico realizado por meio de uma scoping review; fase empírica desenvolvida através da validação de conteúdo do design telessimulado e fase analítica em que adotou-se o índice de validade de conteúdo. Resultados Construiu-se um design para o atendimento segundo o protocolo de suporte básico de vida percorrendo seis etapas: o planejamento, preparação, participação, teledebriefing, avaliação e feedback e a aprendizagem adicional, com Índice de Validade de Conteúdo de 0,96. Conclusão O design desenvolvido foi considerado válido em conteúdo para planejar e executar a telessimulação pela enfermagem e ainda ser adaptado a outros contextos educacionais.

Abstract The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is complex. Few studies in Brazilian population have addressed cell phenotypes associated with immunological responses and their associations with SLE activity. The aim of this study is to investigate cell phenotypes associated to SLE diagnosis, treatment and activity. Twenty-eight SLE female patients (17 inactive, 11 active) and 10 healthy women were included in this study. Markers of natural killer (Nk), T and B cells in peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry. Nkt cells were decreased only in SLE active patients. Activated CD4+, regulatory T FoxP3+ and B cells were decreased in both active and inactive SLE patients, compared to control group. The data corroborate the disruption of immune regulatory response in SLE patients and suggest phenotipic changes as possible biomarkers of SLE activity.

In a society that is constituted by patterned looks and the logic of normality, visually impaired teachers distance themselves from the standards of body, behavior, ways of being and doing teaching, which causes strangeness. This article is the result of a research that aimed to understand how teachers with visual impairments (blind or with low vision) face the challenges of their professional practice by answering the following research issue: how do visually impaired educators narrate accessibility for professional practice? To do so, narrative interviews were carried out with seven visually impaired educators that work in the Basic Educational System in three Southern Brazilian states. The narratives were organized in thematic groups and examined based on the discourse analysis, supported by Foucauldian references. The study points out that the higher the social barriers imposed, the lower the inclusion possibilities for visually impaired educators in the professional practice. It also reveals that inclusion and accessibility have been thought more for students with disabilities and less for teachers, whose professional insertion is recent and still causes strangeness in school spaces.

En una sociedad que está constituida por las miradas estandarizadas y la lógica de la normalidad, los docentes con discapacidad visual se alejan de las normas de cuerpo, comportamiento, formas de ser y hacer docentes, lo que provoca el extrañamiento. Este artículo es el resultado de una investigación que tuvo como objetivo comprender cómo los profesores con discapacidad visual (ciegos/as o con baja visión) enfrentan los desafíos de ejercer la profesión, contestando al problema de investigación: ¿cómo los docentes con discapacidad visual narran la accesibilidad para el ejercicio de la profesión? Para eso, se realizaron entrevistas narrativas con siete docentes con discapacidad visual que actúan en la Educación Básica en los tres estados de la Región Sul del Brasil. Las narrativas fueron organizadas en grupos temáticos y examinadas a desde la perspectiva del análisis del discurso, apoyadas en referencias foucaultianas. El estudio apunta que: cuanto mayores son las barreras sociales impostas, menores son las posibilidades de incluir a los docentes con discapacidad visual en su ejercicio profesional. También revela que la inclusión y la accesibilidad han sido pensadas más para los estudiantes con discapacidad y menos para los docentes, cuya inserción profesional es reciente y aún provoca distanciamiento en los espacios escolares.

Em uma sociedade que se constitui por olhares padronizados e pela lógica da normalidade, os docentes com deficiência visual se distanciam dos padrões de corpo, comportamento, jeitos de ser e fazer a docência, o que causa estranhamentos. Este artigo resulta de uma pesquisa que objetivou compreender como docentes com deficiência visual (cegos/as ou com baixa visão) enfrentam os desafios de exercer a profissão, respondendo ao seguinte problema de pesquisa: de que forma professores/as com deficiência visual narram a acessibilidade para o exercício da profissão? Para isso, realizaram-se entrevistas narrativas com sete docentes com deficiência visual, atuantes na Educação Básica nos três estados da Região Sul do Brasil. As narrativas foram organizadas em agrupamentos temáticos e examinadas a partir da perspectiva da análise do discurso, amparada pelos referenciais foucaultianos. O estudo aponta que, quanto maiores forem as barreiras sociais impostas, menores serão as possibilidades de inclusão de docentes com deficiência visual no exercício profissional. Revela também, que a inclusão e acessibilidade tem sido pensadas mais para os estudantes com deficiência e menos para os professores, cuja inserção profissional é recente e ainda causa estranhamento nos espaços escolares.

Abstract Quantification of collagen degradation is an important parameter to evaluate dentin caries for preventive aid. Objectives: Evaluate preventive methods against root collagen degradation by the hydroxyproline assay (HYP) and microradiography technique (MRT). Methodology: Five bovine root dentin blocks were obtained and subjected to an artificial demineralization process by acetate buffer (pH 5) to induce carious lesion formation. Samples were subjected to the following therapeutic treatments: 1) 0.12% chlorhexidine for 1 min, 2) 2% fluoride for 1 min, 3) Nd:YAG Laser (400 μm diameter optical fiber, 10 Hz frequency, 60 mJ/pulse energy, 48 J/cm2 energy density, in noncontact mode for 10 s), 4) deionized water (control) for 1 min, 5) MRT control group (without treatment and removal of collagen). Samples were exposed to degradation by a collagenase enzyme for five days. The enzyme solution was collected, by colorimetry in a spectrophotometer, from the collagen matrix for the hydroxyproline release analysis. The same samples were subjected to an additional two days of demineralization to induce the progression of mineral loss. Samples were analyzed by MRT for the visualization of their degraded areas (estimation of lesion depth and mineral loss). ANOVA was applied to compare hydroxyproline release rates. MRT data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dunn’s test. Comparisons between the initial five-day and the subsequent two-day demineralization processes were performed by repeated t-test or Wilcoxon (p<0.05) measurements. Results: The amount of HYP released from the dentin samples failed to show significant differences among the groups (p=0.09). Fluoride and chlorhexidine were able to interact with the samples, reducing the progression of dentin caries after removal of the demineralized organic matrix. CHX was the only treatment able to show significant lower lesion depth than the negative control. Conclusion: Chlorhexidine and fluoride were effective in reducing root caries progression.

RESUMO Objetiva destacar a docência em narrações cristalinas e fabulatórias que interligam como sujeitos do conhecimento o homem, a natureza e a tecnologia e, para tanto, aborda o movimento do pensamento na rede de conversação produzidas em processos de formação continuada com professoras do Ensino Fundamental de um sistema público municipal. Apresenta um campo problemático que se dedica a compreender que movimentos do pensamento são produzidos a partir das narrativas estabelecidas em rede de conversação. Utiliza, para a produção de dados, a observação participante e os registros em diário de campo das narrativas cristalinas e fabulatórias que emergiram na rede de conversação com as personagens-escolas (docentes), que se configuram como imagens-narrativas de pesquisa como imagem-cristal e imagem-fábula. No decorrer da pesquisa, a questão central assume duas dimensões interligadas: por um lado a relação entre imagem-cristal e imagem-fábula potencializando o movimento do pensamento dos docentes; por outro, a relação homem, natureza e tecnologia entendidos como sujeitos do conhecimento. As personagens-escolas, em suas narrativas, visualizam os possíveis na docência para contribuir com uma vida e/ou a constituição de mundos não “antropocenos”, onde os sujeitos do conhecimento são o homem, a natureza e a tecnologia.

ABSTRACT This text aims to highlight teaching in crystalline and fable narratives connecting men, nature, and technology as subjects of knowledge. Thus, it addresses the movement of thought in conversation networks produced in in-service education processes with Elementary and Middle School teachers of a municipal public system. It presents a problematic field dedicated to understanding which thought movements are made from the narratives established in conversation networks. To produce data, we used participant observation and field diary records of the crystalline and fable narratives that emerged in the networks of conversations with the characters-schools (teachers), which are configured as images-narratives of research as crystal-image and fable-image. During the study, the central question assumes two interconnected dimensions. On the one hand, the relationship between the crystal-image and fable-image enhances the movement of teachers’ thinking. On the other hand, the relationships between man, nature, and technology are understood as subjects of knowledge. In their narratives, the school characters visualize the possibilities of teaching to contribute to life and/or the constitution of non-Anthropocene worlds, where the subjects of knowledge are man, nature and technology.

Resumo O adolescente em situação de vulnerabilidade social demanda dos pais, professores e da sociedade um cuidado que o proteja dos riscos adicionais aos quais está exposto, sem que o desenvolvimento de sua autonomia seja comprometido. Este estudo qualitativo teve como objetivo investigar elaborações imaginativas de 30 professores sobre a adolescência, utilizando a Narrativa Interativa como recurso investigativo. O material narrativo foi analisado interpretativamente em busca dos sentidos afetivo-emocionais subjacentes às elaborações dos participantes, resultando nos campos de sentido: “Não façam da adolescência um bicho de sete cabeças” e “Adolescência: sinal de perigo”. Para além das questões pedagógicas, os participantes manifestaram dificuldade para lidar com questões próprias ao desenvolvimento emocional do adolescente, oscilando entre concepções estereotipadas e uma postura empática diante da imaturidade que é própria da idade. Conclui-se que os professores vivenciam sentimentos ambivalentes em relação aos alunos, assumindo desde uma postura autoritária até aceitação do conflito adolescente como natural nessa etapa do desenvolvimento.

Abstract Adolescents in situations of social vulnerability demand a type of care, from parents, teachers, and society, that protects them from the additional risks to which they are exposed, without compromising the development of their autonomy. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the imaginative elaborations of 30 teachers about adolescence using an Interactive Narrative approach as an investigative resource. The narrative material was analyzed interpretively, searching for the affective-emotional senses underlying the elaborations of the participants, resulting in the following fields of meaning: "Do not turn adolescence into rocket science" and "Adolescence: a sign of danger". In addition to the pedagogical issues, the participants expressed difficulty in dealing with issues that are specific to the adolescent's emotional development, oscillating between stereotyped conceptions and an empathic posture in the face of adolescent immaturity. It is concluded that teachers experience ambivalent feelings towards adolescents, assuming either an authoritarian or a patronizing posture, understanding adolescent conflict as natural at this development stage.

OBJECTIVES: In this preliminary study we investigated cellular and humoral immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens in blood samples from 14 recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and compared them to those in samples from 12 uninfected/unvaccinated volunteers. METHODS: Cellular immunity was assessed by intracellular detection of IFN-γ in CD3+ T lymphocytes after stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1), nucleocapsid (NC), or receptor-binding domain (RBD) recombinant proteins or overlapping peptide pools covering the sequence of SARS-CoV-2 spike, membrane and nucleocapsid regions. The humoral response was examined by ELISAs and/or chemiluminescence assays for the presence of serum IgG antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. RESULTS: We observed differences between humoral and cellular immune profiles in response to stimulation with the same proteins. Assays of IgG antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 NC, RBD and S1/S2 recombinant proteins were able to differentiate convalescent from uninfected/unvaccinated groups. Cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 protein stimuli did not exhibit a specific response, as T cells from both individuals with no history of contact with SARS-CoV-2 and from recovered donors were able to produce IFN-γ. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the cellular immune response to stimulation with a pool of SARS-CoV-2 peptides but not with SARS-CoV-2 proteins is able to distinguish convalescent individuals from unexposed individuals. Regarding the humoral immune response, the screening for serum IgG antibodies directed to SARS-CoV-2 proteins has been shown to be specific for the response of recovered individuals.

RESUMO A malária é uma doença de distribuição tropical, sendo endêmica em mais de 90 países, responsável por cerca de 212 milhões de casos reportados ao redor do mundo em 2016. As estratégias de erradicação dessa doença são ineficazes até o presente, sem medidas de prevenção específica, como vacinas. Atualmente, o arsenal terapêutico existente é limitado e vem se tornando ineficaz frente à expansão de plasmódios resistentes a artemisinina, evidenciando a necessidade de estudos que viabilizem o desenvolvimento de novos compostos contra a doença. Nesse contexto, estudamos o óleo essencial obtido de rizomas de Cyperus articulatus (VOCA), uma espécie vegetal comumente encontrada na região amazônica, utilizada popularmente como alternativa terapêutica para o tratamento de malária. Visamos confirmar o potencial antimalárico da planta através de testes in vitro e in vivo. Utilizamos cepas de Plasmodium falciparum W2 (cloroquina-resistente) e 3D7 (cloroquina-sensível) cultivadas em hemácias e expostas ao VOCA em microplacas de 96 poços. A atividade antimalárica in vivo foi testada em camundongos da linhagem BALB/c infectados com aproximadamente 106 eritrócitos parasitados por Plasmodium berghei. O VOCA apresentou alto potencial antimalárico (IC50 < 10 µg ml-1) frente às duas cepas de P. falciparum testadas (IC50=1,21 µg ml-1 para W2 e 2,3 µg ml-1 para 3D7). Além disso, houve redução significativa da parasitemia induzida por P. Berghei em camundongos tratados com EOAC, e também observamos diminuição da anemia, uma sintomatologia provocada pela infecção. Nossos resultados confirmam o potencial antimalárico do óleo essencial de Cyperus articulatus.

ABSTRACT Malaria is a disease of global tropical distribution, being endemic in more than 90 countries and responsible for about 212 million cases worldwide in 2016. To date, the strategies used to eradicate this disease have been ineffective, without specific preventive measures such as vaccines. Currently, the existing therapeutic arsenal is limited and has become ineffective against the expansion of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium, demonstrating the need for studies that would allow the development of new compounds against this disease. In this context, we studied the volatile oil obtained from rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus (VOCA), a plant species commonly found in the Amazon region and popularly used as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of malaria, in order to confirm its potential as an antimalarial agent by in vitro and in vivo assays. We cultured Plasmodium falciparum W2 (chloroquine-resistant) and 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) strains in erythrocytes and exposed them to VOCA at different concentrations in 96-well microplates. In vivo antimalarial activity was tested in BALB/c mice inoculated with approximately 106 erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium berghei. VOCA showed a high antimalarial potential against the two P. falciparum strains, with IC50 = 1.21 μg mL-1 for W2 and 2.30 μg mL-1 for 3D7. VOCA also significantly reduced the parasitemia and anemia induced by P. berghei in mice. Our results confirmed the antimalarial potential of the volatile oil of Cyperus articulatus.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate sequential digestible phosphorus levels for gilts from 30 to 100 kg. Sixty gilts were used, with an initial weight of 29.98±3.37 kg and final weight of 100.66±8.82 kg, distributed in a randomized block design, with five nutritional digestible phosphorus levels: 2.19-1.88-1.68, 2.69-2.38-2.18, 3.19-2.88-2.68, 3.69-3.38-3.18, and 4.19-3.88-3.68 g kg−1, respectively, for the growth phases 30 to 50 kg, 50 to 70 kg, and 70 to 100 kg, with six replicates and two animals per pen. The nutritional plans did not influence the final weight, days to reach 100 kg, total and daily weight gain, total and daily feed intake, crude protein intake, digestible lysine intake, or metabolizable energy intake. An increase in digestible phosphorus and calcium intake was observed according to the increase in the digestible phosphorus level in the diet. There was a significant effect on feed conversion. No effect of nutritional plans was observed for backfat thickness, muscle depth, loin eye area, lean meat percentage, or carcass bonus index. There was no difference in the production of dry and natural matter or the residue coefficient. The effect of the nutritional digestible phosphorus levels in the contents of total solids and volatile solids was verified. There was a difference in the concentration of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the manure. The nutritional plan with 3.19-2.88-2.68 and 3.69-3.38-3.18 g kg−1 of digestible phosphorus results in better feed conversion than the basal diet. For a lower excretion of phosphorus in the manure, the recommended nutritional plan is 2.19-1.88-1.68 g kg−1 of digestible phosphorus.

Abstract Several anti-proteolytic dentin therapies are being exhaustively studied in an attempt to reduce dentin bond degradation and improve clinical performance and longevity of adhesive restorations. Objectives This study assessed the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on long-term bond strength when incorporated into adhesives. Material and Methods Adhesive systems were formulated with EGCG concentrations of 0 wt%: (no EGCG; control); 0.5 wt% EGCG; 1.0 wt% EGCG, and 1.5 wt% EGCG. Flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (ME), modulus of resilience (MR), compressive strength (CS), degree of conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage (PS), percentage of water sorption (%WS), percentage of water solubility (%WL) and cytotoxicity properties were tested. Dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was evaluated after 24 h and again after 6 months of water storage. The adhesive interface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of FS, ME, MR, CS and PS. EGCG-doped adhesives increased the DC relative to the control group. EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% decreased the WS of adhesives. WL decreased in all cases in which EGCG was added to adhesives, regardless of the concentration. EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% reduced cytotoxicity. EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% preserved µTBS after 6 months of storage, while 1.5 wt% EGCG significantly decreased µTBS. SEM: the integrity of the hybrid layer was maintained in the 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% EGCG groups. Conclusion EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% showed better biological and mechanical performance, preserved bond strength and adhesive interface, and reduced cytotoxicity.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in vitro a influência do extrato de gengibre 20% na resistência adesiva de pinos de fibra de vidro cimentados com cimentos resinosos convencional ou autocondicionantes. Quarenta e oito raízes bovinas foram padronizadas (17±0.5mm) e aleatoriamente divididas em dois grupos (n=24), de acordo com o irrigante utilizado durante o preparo biomecânico: NaOCl: hipoclorito de sódio 1%; e GEN: extrato glicólico de gengibre 20%. Os canais radiculares foram preparados e aleatoriamente distribuídos em dois subgrupos (n=12), conforme o protocolo de cimentação: autocondicionante (RelyX U200) e convencional (RelyX ARC). Após 48 h, as raízes foram seccionadas perpendicularmente (4 no terço cervical e 3 no terço médio) e submetidas ao teste de resistência adesiva push-out (50 kgf carga, 1.0 mm/min). O modo de falha foi analisado em MEV e estereomicroscopia. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes ANOVA 3-fatores e Tukey (p<0.05). ANOVA mostrou que não houve diferenças significativas entre U200 (2.01±0.17)B e ARC (1.93±0.12)B no grupo GEN, e no terço cervical para ambos os irrigantes (2.69±0.16A and 2.54±0.17A, respectivamente). O terço médio apresentou menor resistência adesiva que o terço cervical, independente do irrigante. Em geral, o terço cervical, independentemente do irrigante empregado, e a associação entre NaOCl e ARC apresentaram melhores desempenhos adesivos.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the influence of 20% glycolic ginger extract on the bond strength of glass-fiber post cemented with etch-and-rinse or self-etching resin cement. Forty-eight bovine roots were standardized (17±0.5 mm) and randomly divided into two groups, according to irrigant used during biomechanical preparation: NaOCl: 1% sodium hypochlorite and GEN: 20% glycolic ginger extract. Root canal was prepared and randomly assigned to one of two subgroups (n=12), according to luting protocol: self-etching (RelyX U200) and etch-and-rinse (RelyX ARC). After 48 h, the roots were sectioned perpendicularly (4 in cervical third and 3 in middle third) and submitted to push-out bond strength test (50 kgf load cell, 1.0 mm/min). Failure mode was analyzed in SEM and stereomicroscopy. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (p<0.05). ANOVA revealed that there were no significant differences between U200 (2.01±0.17)B and ARC (1.93±0.12)B in GEN group, and at the cervical third for both irrigants, 2.69±0.16A and 2.54±0.17A, respectively. Middle third showed lower bond strength than cervical third, regardless the irrigant. Overall, the cervical third regardless the irrigant employed and the association between NaOCl and ARC, presented better adhesive performance.

Abstract Osteoporosis is an insidious and increasingly prevalent disease that can cause fractures and affect patients’ quality of life. The current study comparatively evaluates patients with and without loss of bone mass in terms of salivary calcium, viscosity, and pH. A controlled cross-sectional study was conducted in two groups of 32 postmenopausal women subjected to a bone densitometry scan and later referred for dental management at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The patients were assigned to two groups: Group 1 - patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) and Group 2 - patients without bone mineral changes. The following salivary parameters were evaluated: calcium concentration, flow rate, viscosity, pH, and average total protein. An oral examination was performed for assessment of DMFT variables and tongue coating. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting a p-value < 0.05. The patients’ mean age was 60 years (± 7.35). Salivary flow, pH, and viscosity were similar among the groups. Average total protein was 14.8 mg/mL and 19.0 mg/mL in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Tongue coating and salivary calcium levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p < 0.001). Salivary calcium is an important screening tool and may eventually be used for the diagnosis of bone mineral changes.

Abstract: Pigmented purpuric dermatoses are chronic vascular inflammatory conditions characterized by the presence of pigmented macules. Among its different presentations, lichen aureus is distinguished by the lichenoid conformation of its plaques and the predilection for lower limb involvement. Its segmented form is rare and difficult to control, especially in cases of symptomatic lesions. We report a rare case of segmental lichen aureus with six years of evolution associated with light itching. We also discuss the main therapeutic approaches to control the disease.