Response of masticatory muscles to treatment with orthodontic aligners: a preliminary prospective longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Introduction: The emergence of orthodontic aligners has provided an aesthetic and comfortable option for orthodontic treatment. However, the encapsulated design of the aligners can influence the masticatory muscles, and might compromise safe treatment. Objective: This preliminary longitudinal study aimed to investigate whether the use of orthodontic aligners affects the biting force and myoelectric activity of the superficial masseter and anterior temporal muscles. Methods: Ten subjects participated in the study and underwent treatment during an 8-month follow-up period. The root mean square (RMS), the median power frequency (MPF) of the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals, and the biting force (kgf) were recorded and normalized relative to the pretreatment condition. The data were analyzed by repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA), with the significance level set at 5%. Results: Both the superficial masseter and the anterior temporal muscles presented an increase in sEMG signal activity during the treatment, with a marked increase in the latter compared to the former (p<0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease in bite force was evidenced (p<0.05). Conclusions: This preliminary study observed that the orthodontic aligners affected the muscle recruitment pattern of masticatory muscles, and reduced biting performance during the 8-month follow-up period.

RESUMO Introdução: O surgimento dos alinhadores ortodônticos tem proporcionado uma opção estética e confortável para o tratamento ortodôntico. No entanto, o design encapsulado dos alinhadores pode influenciar os músculos mastigatórios e comprometer a segurança do tratamento. Objetivo: Este estudo longitudinal preliminar teve como objetivo investigar se o uso de alinhadores ortodônticos afeta a força de mordida e a atividade mioelétrica dos músculos masseter superficial e temporal anterior. Métodos: Dez indivíduos participaram do estudo e foram submetidos a tratamento durante um período de acompanhamento de 8 meses. A raiz quadrada média (RMS), a frequência mediana de potência (FMP) dos sinais de superfície da eletromiografia (sEMG) e a força de mordida (kgf) foram registradas e normalizadas em relação à condição de pré-tratamento. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância para medidas repetidas (ANOVA), com nível de significância estabelecido em 5%. Resultados: Tanto o masseter superficial quanto o temporal anterior apresentaram aumento da atividade do sinal sEMG durante o tratamento, com aumento acentuado desse último em comparação ao primeiro (p<0,05). Além disso, foi evidenciada uma diminuição significativa da força de mordida (p<0,05). Conclusões: Esse estudo preliminar observou que os alinhadores ortodônticos afetaram o padrão de recrutamento muscular dos músculos mastigatórios e reduziram o desempenho da mordida durante o período de acompanhamento de oito meses.

Hábitos de vida de pessoas com diabetes mellitus durante a pandemia de covid-19 / Hábitos de vida de personas con diabetes mellitus durante la pandemia de covid-19 / Life habits of people with diabetes mellitus during the covid-19 pandemic

RESUMO Objetivo: caracterizar impactos do distanciamento social ocasionado pela pandemia da doença do Coronavírus na vida de pessoas com Diabetes Mellitus. Método: estudo descritivo quantitativo, realizado com 102 portadores de Diabetes Mellitus, por meio de formulário virtual, abordando questões sociodemográficas, de autocuidado e de saúde mental, no Brasil no período de maio a junho de 2020. A associação entre as variáveis foi avaliada pelo teste qui-quadrado (p<0,05). Resultados: dos 45 (44,11%) que disseram se alimentar mal, 33 (32,35%) relataram mudanças de peso (p=0,008); com relação à saúde mental, 59 (57,84%) expuseram condições regulares ou ruins; com relação às consultas, 84 indivíduos (82,75%) alegaram interrupção ou irregularidade; dos 58 (56,86%) que declararam prejuízos socioeconômicos, 37 (36,27%) apresentaram dificuldades na adesão de insumos (p<0,000). Conclusão: medidas multiprofissionais devem ser focadas nos fatores que influenciam negativamente o controle metabólico, assim como em estabelecer atendimento a distância, para minimizar a diminuição da atenção assistencial.

RESUMEN Objetivo: caracterizar los impactos del distanciamiento social provocado por la pandemia de la enfermedad por Coronavirus en la vida de las personas con Diabetes Mellitus. Método: estudio descriptivo cuantitativo, realizado con 102 pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus, a través de un formulario virtual, con el abordaje de temas sociodemográficos, de autocuidado y de salud mental, en Brasil de mayo a junio de 2020. La asociación entre variables fue evaluada por la prueba de chi-cuadrado (p<0,05). Resultados: de los 45 (44,11%) que admitieron comer mal, 33 (32,35%) reportaron cambios de peso (p=0,008); con respecto a la salud mental, 59 (57,84%) expusieron condiciones regulares o malas; En cuanto a las consultas, 84 personas (82,75%) alegaron interrupción o irregularidad; de los 58 (56,86%) que declararon pérdidas socioeconómicas, 37 (36,27%) tuvieron dificultades en la adhesión de insumos (p<0,000). Conclusión: las medidas multiprofesionales deben centrarse en los factores que influyen negativamente en el control metabólico, así como en el establecimiento de cuidados a distancia, para minimizar la disminución de la atención asistencial.

ABSTRACT Objective: to characterize the impacts of social distancing caused by the Coronavirus disease pandemic on the lives of people with Diabetes Mellitus. Method: a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, carried out in Brazil from May to June 2020 with 102 patients with Diabetes Mellitus, through a virtual form, addressing sociodemographic, self-care and mental health issues. The association between the variables was assessed using the chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: of the 45 (44.11%) individuals who stated eating poorly, 33 (32.35%) reported weight changes (p=0.008); in relation to mental health, 59 (57.84%) presented regular or bad conditions; with regard to consultations, 84 individuals (82.75%) indicated interruption or irregularity; of the 58 (56.86%) who stated socioeconomic losses, 37 (36.27%) had difficulties in adherence to inputs (p<0.000). Conclusion: multi-professional measures must be focused on the factors that exert a negative influence on metabolic control, as well as on establishing remote care, to minimize the reduction in assistance.

Host status of eucalypt species to Pratylenchus brachyurus and Meloidogyne incognita

Plant parasitic nematodes are major threats to Brazilian and world agriculture. Among them, Pratylenchus brachyurus and Meloidogyne incognita stand out as major pests for several crops, including corn, cotton, soybean among others, which can be components of integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems (ICLFs). In this context, information about the host status of eucalypts (Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp.) to plant parasitic nematodes becomes more relevant in Brazil, due to the use of eucalypts in ICLFs. If tree components used on this system increase the population density of P. brachyurus and M. incognita, it is possible that these pathogens could damage shorter-cycle crops. Since information about the host status of eucalypts to plant parasitic nematodes is scarce, this study evaluated the host status of some eucalypt species to P. brachyurus and M. incognita. Two greenhouse trials were done to evaluate the reproduction of P. brachyurus and one to M. incognita, using some of the most cultivated species and hybrids of eucalypts in Brazil. The population growth of P. brachyurus increased on Corymbia citriodora, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus dunnii × Eucalyptus urophylla, and E. grandis × E. urophylla after ~90 days of inoculation. Conversely, despite M. incognita reproducing well in the control plants, no individuals were recovered from C. citriodora, E. urophylla and E. grandis × E. urophylla, which were classified as resistant plants. Based on both obtained and available data, M. incognita poses no threat to eucalypt species today. However, P. brachyurus is suggested to be a threat to eucalypts.

Host suitability of grain sorghum and sudangrass for Pratylenchus brachyurus / Suscetibilidade do sorgo granífero e capim-sudão a Pratylenchus brachyurus

Nowadays, the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus brachyurus (Godfrey) is a major pest of soybean in Brazil, mainly in areas using double cropping with maize or cotton, which are suitable hosts for P. brachyurus. A great effort has been made to find cash crops for P. brachyurus management. Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.)] was classified as a non-host for P. brachyurus but based on a single trial. It would be a valuable option as a culture for double cropping with soybean, as it is profitable and can be used in root-lesion nematode management. Sudangrass (S. bicolor var. sudanense) is not directly profitable, but Brazilian farmers favor it because it can produce pasture, green chop, silage, or hay under unfavorable hydric conditions. However, no information is available regarding the suitability of sudangrass for P. brachyurus. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the suitability of grain sorghum and sudangrass for P. brachyurus in two glasshouse trials. The first trial tested sudangrass and grain sorghum 'DKB 510', 'Dow 740', 'Dow 822', 'DKB 599', and 'AG 1040'. The second trial retested sudangrass and grain sorghum 'Dow 740' and 'DKB 599'. The results demonstrated that sudangrass and grain sorghum were suitable hosts for P. brachyurus. These results, in addition to those obtained for other types of sorghum, emphasize that S. bicolor and sudangrass should be avoided in fields infested with P. brachyurus, as they increase the nematode population.(AU)

Atualmente, o nematoide das lesões radiculares Pratylenchus brachyurus Godfrey é um dos principais patógenos para a soja no Brasil, principalmente em áreas com sucessão de milho ou algodão, que também são suscetíveis a P. brachyurus. Grandes esforços têm sido feitos a fim de encontrar uma cultura rentável que possa ser utilizada no manejo de P. brachyurus. O sorgo granífero (Sorghum bicolor L.) é relatado como resistente a P. ­brachyurus, porém com base em apenas um ensaio. Adicionalmente, o capim-sudão (S. ­bicolor var. sudanense) não é diretamente rentável, mas é apreciado pelos agricultores brasileiros por produzir pasto, material verde picado, silagem ou feno, mesmo sob condições hídricas desfavoráveis. Entretanto, não há nenhuma informação sobre a suscetibilidade dessa cultura a P. brachyurus. Dentro desse contexto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a suscetibilidade de cultivares de sorgo granífero e capim-sudão a P. brachyurus em dois ensaios em casa de vegetação. No primeiro experimento, foram testados o capim-sudão e os sorgos graníferos DKB 510, Dow 740, Dow 822, DKB 599 e AG 1040. No segundo experimento, capim-sudão e os cultivares de sorgo granífero Dow 740 e DKB 599 foram testados novamente. Os resultados de ambos os ensaios demonstraram que o capim-sudão e o sorgo granífero são suscetíveis a P. ­brachyurus. Esses resultados, mais os obtidos para outros tipos de sorgo, demonstram que S. ­bicolor e o capim-sudão devem ser evitados em áreas infestadas com P. ­brachyurus, já que essas culturas aumentam dramaticamente as densidades populacionais do nematoide das lesões no solo.(AU)

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma treatment in Bahia, Brazil

Abstract Background: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a peripheral disease associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1. Treatment is carried out according to clinical type with watchful waiting being recommended for less aggressive types. Aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is generally treated with chemotherapy and/or antivirals. The objective of this study was to correlate the survival of patients diagnosed in Bahia, Brazil, with the therapeutic approaches employed and to evaluate what issues existed in their treatment processes. Methods: Eighty-three adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma patients (26 smoldering, 23 chronic, 16 acute, 13 lymphoma and five primary cutaneous tumoral) with available data were included in this study. Results: Complete response was achieved in seven smoldering patients with symptomatic treatment, in two with chronic disease using antivirals/chemotherapy, in one with acute disease using antivirals and in one lymphoma using the LSG15 regimen [vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisolone (VCAP); doxorubicin, ranimustine, and prednisolone (AMP); and vindesine, etoposide, carboplatin, and prednisolone (VECP)]. Smoldering patients who received symptomatic treatment presented longer survival. Favorable chronic patients treated with antivirals presented longer survival compared to the unfavorable subtype. However, for the acute form, first-line chemotherapy was better, albeit without significance, than antivirals. Only one of the patients with lymphoma and primary cutaneous tumors responded. Conclusions: Watchful waiting associated with phototherapy represents the best option for smoldering adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with survival in Bahia being superior to that described in Japan. There was a trend of better results with zidovudine/interferon-alpha in favorable chronic disease. Excellent results were achieved in the lymphoma type treated with the LSG15 protocol. Patients are diagnosed late probably due to lack of knowledge of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma by primary healthcare doctors and a Brazilian treatment protocol needs to be established.