Clinical and Molecular Disorders Caused by COVID-19 During Pregnancy as a Potential Risk for Enamel Defects

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the potential risk that COVID-19 generates for the development of enamel defects. This hypothesis was built based on the etiopathogenesis of enamel defects and the relationship with the symptom's characteristic of COVID-19. Pregnancy is a critical period for the child's development; exposure to pathological agents can cause systemic imbalances and risks of adverse perinatal and prenatal outcomes. The main clinical symptoms of this disease and its association with that dental outcome were considered. Fever, breathing, cardiovascular disorders, and diarrhea were related as potential etiological factors of ameloblast metabolism imbalance, which can interfere qualitatively and quantitatively in the development, maturation and mineralization of the tooth enamel. Molecular disorders derived from COVID-19, as well as their clinical symptoms, can be considered potential risk factors for the development of enamel defects. Individuals with enamel defects experienced high stress levels during pregnancy or early childhood. The approach adopted may help build new research to ensure understanding of the etiology of the development of dental enamel defects and its relationship with COVID-19. However, longitudinal studies need to be conducted to confirm the association between COVID-19 and adverse events during pregnancy.

Evaluation of Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Dentistry Students

Abstract Objective: To evaluate sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness in undergraduate dentistry students. Material and Methods: This research is characterized as an observational study of transversal type, having analysed undergraduate students in dentistry from a public university in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. The sample consisted of 325 students enrolled between the 1st and 10th academic semester. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while excessive daytime sleepiness was analysed through the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The t-Student and Mann-Whitney tests were used for the numerical values, with the F-test (ANOVA) or the Kruskal-Wallis test being used to compare more than two categories. Results: It was observed that 71.1% of students presented a poor sleep quality, with more than half of the students exhibiting excessive daytime sleepiness (58.1%). A relationship between sleep quality and the academic semester was verified. However, gender and age were not associated with sleep quality or with excessive daytime sleepiness. Conclusion: A high prevalence of poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness was observed among undergraduate students in dentistry. The data suggest that the undergraduate degree in Dentistry can influence the students' quality of sleep, regardless of age or gender.

Efeito de probióticos no desenvolvimento de lesão periapical induzida em ratos / Effect of probiotics on the development of induced periapical lesion in rats

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da administração sistêmica de probióticos nos parâmetros hematológicos, microbiológicos do canal radicular e da saliva e no desenvolvimento da periodontite apical (PA) induzida em ratos. Material e Métodos: Foram utilizados 24 ratos Wistar machos. PA foi induzida nos primeiros molares inferiores e superiores (lado esquerdo e direito). Os animais foram divididos em 3 grupos: controle, Lactobacillus rhamnosus e Lactobacillus acidophilus. Os probióticos foram administrados por gavagem (109 unidades formadoras de colônias (CFU)) diluídas em 5 mL de água durante o período de desenvolvimento da PA (30 dias). No trigésimo dia, foi realizada punção cardíaca para análise de hemograma, cálcio, fósforo e concentração de fosfatase alcalina no sangue. Além disso, foi realizada análise microbiológica do conteúdo do canal radicular e da saliva. Em seguida, os animais foram eutanasiados e a mandíbula e maxila foram removidas para análise da PA através da microtomografia computadorizada; análises histopatológicas (hematoxilina - H&E) e de imunomarcação para interleucina 10 (IL-10), interleucina 1 beta (IL-1ß), interleucina 6 (IL-6), ligante do recetor ativador do fator nuclear kappa B (RANKL), osteoprotegerina (OPG) e fosfase ácida resistente ao tataráto (TRAP). Os dados foram estatisticamente analisados com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A fosfatase alcalina foi maior nos grupos que consumiram probióticos (p>0.05). A contagem total de microrganismos no canal radicular/saliva, o infiltrado inflamatório e a imunomarcação para IL-1ß e IL-6 no PA foram menores nos grupos probióticos quando comparados ao controle (p<0.05). Observou-se que a IL-10 foi mais imunomarcada nos grupos probióticos do que no grupo controle (p<0.05). Menor volume de reabsorção óssea foi observada nos grupos que consumiram probióticos (p<0.05). A imunomarcação para RANKL e TRAP foram menores nos grupos probióticos quando comparados ao controle (p<0.05). Observou-se que a OPG foi mais imunomarcada no grupo Lactobacillus acidophilus do que no grupo Lactobacillus rhamnosus e controle (p<0.05). Não houve diferença estatística na contagem de lactobacilos no canal radicular/saliva bem com no perfil hematológico, cálcio e fósforo entre os grupos (p>0.05)(AU)

Aim: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of probiotics on haematological, microbiological parameters of the root canal and saliva and on the development of apical periodontitis (AP) induced in rats Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used. PA was induced in the lower and upper first molars (left and right side). The animals were divided into three groups: control, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Probiotics were administered by gavage (109 colony forming units (CFU)) diluted in 5 mL of water during the developmental period of PA (30 days). On the thirtieth day, cardiac puncture was performed for hemogram, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase concentration in the blood. In addition, a microbiological analysis of the root canal and saliva contents was performed. Afterwards, the animals were euthanized and the mandible and maxilla were removed for analysis of PA by computerized microtomography; interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin 6 (IL-6), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The data were statistically analyzed with significance level of 5%. Results: Alkaline phosphatase was higher in the groups that consumed probiotics (p>0.05). The total count of microorganisms in the root canal/saliva, inflammatory infiltrate and immunolabeling for IL-1ß and IL-6 in BP were lower in the probiotic groups when compared to the control group (p<0.05). It was observed that IL-10 was more immunolabelled in the probiotic groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Lower volume of bone resorption was observed in the groups that consumed probiotics (p<0.05). Immunoblotting for RANKL and TRAP were lower in probiotic groups when compared to control (p<0.05). It was observed that OPG was more immunolabelled in the Lactobacillus acidophilus group than in the Lactobacillus rhamnosus group and control (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the lactobacillus count in the root canal / saliva as well as in the hematological profile, calcium and phosphorus between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus) had a significant effect on the reduction of PA severity in rats, as well as the reduction of total root canal/saliva microorganisms concomitantly with increased alkaline phosphatase blood, demonstrating the capacity of probiotics in modulating the development of PA(AU)

Anticoagulant effects of phytotherapeutic drugs and their importance in surgical dental procedures / Efeitos anticoagulantes de drogas fitoterapicas e sua importância em procedimentos odontológicos cirúrgicos

ABSTRACT Phytotherapeutic drugs are plant-derived products with medicinal properties. They are used for treating or preventing several diseases. However, patients who use these substances and even health professionals are unaware of their negative effects. One of the most common negative effects of phytotherapeutic drugs reported in the literature is the inhibition of natural coagulation factors in the human body. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a brief review of the literature concerning the anticoagulant effects of phytotherapeutic drugs and their importance in surgical dental procedures. Preventive measures, clarification and monitoring of patients taking phytotherapeutic drugs are recommended before performing surgical dental procedures, in order to prevent against complications such as hemorrhage.

RESUMO Fitoterápicos são produtos derivados de plantas com propriedades medicinais. Eles são utilizados para o tratamento ou a prevenção de diversas doenças. No entanto, os pacientes que fazem uso destas substâncias, na sua grande maioria, desconhecem seus efeitos negativos. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma breve revisão de literatura sobre os efeitos anticoagulantes de fitoterápicos e sua importância diante da realização de procedimentos odontológicos cirúrgicos. Medidas de prevenção, esclarecimento e acompanhamento de pacientes que se utilizam destes medicamentos são recomendados antes da realização destes procedimentos a fim de prevenir complicações como processos hemorrágicos.