The purpose of this epidemiological study was to determine the differences in the prevalence of caries between individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and their siblings. A sibling-matched, population-based and cross-sectional survey was performed. This study involved 138 (62%) children with DS and 86 (38%) siblings, aged 2-26. The children were compared in different subgroups: [2, 6], [6, 12], and [13, 26]. Data was gathered through the use of a complete questionnaire and clinical observation. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS® v.18.0 software with any p value <.05 considered as significant. The DS group presented a significantly higher percentage of children within the caries-free group: 72% versus 46% of the siblings group (p < .001). In the age gap [2, 6[the median value of DMFT was the same in both groups (p = .918). In the age gap [6, 12] the median value of DMFT in the DS group was 0 and in the siblings group was 1 (p = .004). In the age gap [13, 26] the median value of DMFT in the DS group was 0, whereas in the siblings group the median value was 3, which constitutes a significantly high difference (p = .003). The results of this study suggest that Portuguese children with DS have lower caries prevalence than their siblings.

Aim: To evaluate the loss of applied torque (detorque) values in cast and pre-machined abutments for external hex abutment/implant interface of single implant-supported prostheses subjected to mechanical cycling. Methods: Ten metal crowns were fabricated using two types of UCLA abutments: cast and pre-machined with metal base in NiCrTi alloy and tightened to regular external hex implants with a titanium alloy screw, with an insertion torque of 32 N.cm, measured with a digital torque gauge. Samples were embedded with autopolymerizing acrylic resin in a stainless steel cylindrical matrix, and positioned in an electromechanical machine. Dynamic oblique loading of 120 N was applied during 5 x 10 5 cycles. Then, each sample was removed from the resin and detorque values were measured using the same digital torque gauge. The difference of the initial (torque) and final (detorque) measurement was registered and the results were expressed as percentage of initial torque. The results of torque loss were expressed as percentage of the initial torque and subjected to statistical analysis by the Student's t-test (p<0.05) for comparisons between the test groups. Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated that mechanical cycling reduced the torque of abutments without significant difference between cast or pre-machined UCLA abutments (p=0.908). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it may be concluded that the mechanical cycling, corresponding to one-year use, reduced the torque of the samples regardless if cast or pre-machined UCLA abutments were used.

Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that O-rings for implant/attachments perpendicular to the occlusal plane were adequately retentive over the first year and that the retentive capacity of O-ring was affected by implant inclinations despite the proposed positioners.

This study suggests that type 1 diabetic children are associated with some risk factors related to periodontal disease and dental caries. The proven relationship between diabetes and oral health complications imposes the need for these patients to be integrated into preventive dental programs from a young age.

ObjectiveTo evaluate a pilocarpine spray as a treatment for xerostomia in patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).MethodsThis was a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, crossover clinical trial of patients complaining of dry mouth after RT for HNC. Forty patients were randomly assigned to either placebo or pilocarpine (1.54%) spray and instructed to use three times a day for 3 months. After 1‐month washout period, patients were crossed over to receive placebo or pilocarpine. The assessments were salivary flow (Stimulated Whole Saliva Flow – SWSF), xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory – XI), and quality of life (QoL/Oral Health Impact Profile – OHIP‐14), assessed at baseline, 1 hr (only SWSF), and at 1, 2, and 3 months of treatment.ResultsPosttreatment SWFS was not statistically different between pilocarpine and placebo regardless of the treatment sequence (paired T test; p > .05), except for the SWFS rates at 2 months after therapy. When comparing pilocarpine with placebo in the time points, there was no significant difference (p > .05) for QoL or XI. Significant differences in improvement in QoL and xerostomia experience appeared along time for pilocarpine group.ConclusionThe topical application of pilocarpine spray tested was similar to placebo on SWSF assessments in patients treated with RT for HNC.

Cultures of MRSA treated with Belladonna or MRSA nosode exhibited reduced growth in vitro, reduced enzymatic activity and became more vulnerable to the action of the antibiotic oxacillin. Further studies are needed on the biomolecular basis of these effects.

Background Development has promoted longer and healthier lives, but the rise in the proportion of older adults poses new challenges to health systems. Susceptibilities of older persons resulting from lower knowledge about services availability, health illiteracy, lower income, higher mental decline, or physical limitations need to be identified and monitored to assure the equity and quality of health care. The aim of this study was to develop equity indicators for the Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE)-3 checklist and perform the first cross-cultural adaptation and validation of this checklist into Portuguese. Methods A scoping literature review of determinants or indicators of health (in)equity in the care of older people was performed. A total of 5 language experts and 18 health professionals were involved in the development and validation of the equity and quality indicators through expert opinion and focus groups. Data collected from focus groups was analyzed through directed or conventional content analysis. The usefulness of the indicators was assessed by analyzing the clinical records of 30 patients. Results The literature review revealed that there was a worldwide gap concerning equity indicators for older people primary health care. A structured and complete checklist composed of equity and quality indicators was obtained, validated and assessed. A significant number of non-screened quality or equity related potential occurrences that could have been avoided if the proposed indicators were implemented were detected. The percentage of non-registered indicators was 76.6% for quality and 96.7% for equity. Conclusions Applying the proposed checklist will contribute to improve the monitoring of the clinical situation of vulnerable older people and the planning of medical and social actions directed at this group.

Objectives The aim of this article was to analyse and compare internal stress generated at different points of a femoral photoelastic model after insertion and axial load application using two different cementless femoral stems for total hip arthroplasty in dogs: a collared stem combined with limited textured surface and absence of grooves and a collarless stem with fully textured surface and grooves. Methods Ten femoral photoelastic models, divided into two groups, were created using two different designs of cementless femoral stems. The models were submitted to axial loading on the femoral head in a universal test machine. The internal stress (kPa) around the femoral stems was evaluated at seven predetermined points using a transmission polariscope. Results The internal stress at the femoral calcar was larger in the models with collared stem combined with limited textured surface and absence of grooves (p < 0.05). No differences were identified between the groups in the other points (p > 0.05), corresponding to the tip of the stems and proximal lateral region of the femur. Conclusions The collar of femoral stem combined with the absence of grooves and more limited textured surface increase the axial load transmission to the femoral calcar, and in vivo, it may act to reduce complications, such as subsidence and stress shielding. However, other biomechanical tests and clinical evaluations must be performed to determine other important aspects for the implantation of these prostheses.