Advances in Material Modification with Smart Functional Polymers for Combating Biofilms in Biomedical Applications.

Biofilms as living microorganism communities are found anywhere, and for the healthcare sector, these constitute a threat and allied mechanism for health-associated or nosocomial infections. This review states the basis of biofilms and their formation. It focuses on their relevance for the biomedical sector, generalities, and the major advances in modified or new synthesized materials to prevent or control biofilm formation in biomedicine. Biofilm is conceptualized as an aggregate of cells highly communicated in an extracellular matrix, which the formation obeys to molecular and genetic basis. The biofilm offers protection to microorganisms from unfavorable environmental conditions. The most frequent genera of microorganisms forming biofilms and reported in infections are Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia spp., and Candida spp. in implants, heart valves, catheters, medical devices, and prostheses. During the last decade, biofilms have been most commonly related to health-associated infections and deaths in Europe, the United States, and Mexico. Smart, functional polymers are materials capable of responding to diverse stimuli. These represent a strategy to fight against biofilms through the modification or synthesis of new materials. Polypropylene and poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide were used enough in the literature analysis performed. Even smart polymers serve as delivery systems for other substances, such as antibiotics, for biofilm control.

Instrumentos para evaluar bienestar en adolescentes en Chile: una revisión exploratoria / Instruments to evaluate well-being in Chilean adolescent population: a scoping review

En la actualidad, el bienestar es un área de estudio fundamental para la psicología debido a su estrecha relación con la salud física y mental, especialmente en grupos adolescentes, que son considerados prioritarios en el cuidado de la salud. Sin embargo, aún no existe consenso en cuanto a cómo definir y medir el bienestar, lo que ha generado una gran variedad de instrumentos con diferentes bases teóricas. En Chile se han validado instrumentos para evaluar el bienestar, pero no se ha realizado una sistematización que permita identificar y describir los instrumentos en función de sus perspectivas teóricas y propiedades psicométricas, particularmente en población adolescente. Por este motivo se realizó un Scoping Review de los instrumentos utilizados para medir bienestar en este colectivo. Para ello se llevó a cabo una búsqueda sistemática de acuerdo con la declaración PRISMA. Los resultados arrojaron un total de 25 instrumentos validados en esta población que presentaron adecuadas propiedades psicométricas desde diversos constructos teóricos. Se concluye que existen diversos instrumentos validados en Chile para evaluar la multidimensionalidad que implica el concepto de bienestar en población adolescente.

Currently, well-being is a crucial study area for psychology due to its close relationship with physical and mental health, especially among adolescents, who are considered a priority in health care. However, there is still no consensus on how to define and measure wellbeing, which has resulted in the generation of various measurement instruments with different theoretical bases. In Chile, instruments have been validated to assess well-being. However, there has been no systematisation to identify and describe the instruments in terms of their theoretical perspectives and psychometric properties, particularly in the adolescent population. For this reason, a Scoping Review of the instruments used to measure well-being in adolescents was carried out using a systematic search according to the PRISMA statement. The results yielded 25 instruments validated in this population that presented adequate psychometric properties from different theoretical constructs. In conclusion, several validated instruments in Chile assess the multidimensionality implied by the concept of well-being in the adolescent population.

Influence of simplified, higher-concentrated sodium ascorbate application protocols on bond strength of bleached enamel.

BACKGROUND: Bleaching procedures performed before restorative procedures, due to the oxygen released, affects the quality of bonding restorations. The application of an lower-concentrated antioxidant for one-hour or more can reversal the compromised bonding to bleached enamel, but it was not effective according to the bleaching concentrations applied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate simplified protocol of higher-concentrated sodium ascorbate (35%SA) in bond strength values of enamel bleached with 10%, 16%, 22% carbamide peroxide (CP) or 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and forty enamel surfaces of 85 human third molars were used, divided into 17 groups (n=20), according to the following groups: control = no bleaching and no ascorbic acid application; bleaching (CP10%, CP16%, CP22% at-home and HP 35% in-office) and 35%SA application (no application; 35%SA applied twice for 1-min each [SA2×1], twice for 5-min each [SA2×5] and; twice for 10-min each [SA2×10]). After that, adhesive was applied and composite cylinders were made with Filtek Z350 composite. Microshear test was performed in a universal testing machine. BS values were statistically evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey's and Dunnet's (against control) tests, with 5% level of significance. RESULTS: All bleaching concentrations significantly decrease the enamel bond strength results when compared to control group (p<0.05). More concentrated PC (PC22% and PH35%) showed lower enamel bond strength results when compared to lower concentrated PC (PC10% and PC16%; p<0.05). A significant increase of the enamel bond strength results were only observed when SA2×5 and SA2×10 were applied (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of 35% sodium ascorbate for twice 5- and 10-min each was an efficient protocol to reverse the bond strength in bleached enamel at the same level as the no bleaching enamel, independently of the bleaching concentration used. Key words:Tooth bleaching, hydrogen peroxide, sodium ascorbate, bond strength.

Factors associated with dental fluorosis in three zones of Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis in 10-12 year-old school children, in three provinces of the inter-andean Region of Ecuador: Imbabura, Pichincha and Chimborazo, as well as the relationship between certain factors, considering that the latest studies go back to the year 2009. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional and observational study was proposed. A sample of 599 was calculated at 95% of confidence considering population projections for children between 10 and 12 old of three zones of Ecuador. However, 608 school children, who had the acceptance and informed consent of their parents to participate, completed a survey about factors associated with dental fluorosis. Once the survey was completed, the vestibular surfaces of the upper and lower anterior teeth of the infant were photographed, following standardized distance and light procedures. Three evaluators, trained in the detection of fluorosis using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov index, analyzed the photographs. The Stata 13.0 software was used for the statistical analysis, with a level of significance of 5% and with a confidence interval of 95%. To relate the risk factor of fluorosis, a multinomial logistic model was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental fluorosis was of 89.96%, with a greater presence of grade 2 TF. A positive statistical relationship and statistical significance was detected between dental fluorosis and consumption of bottled beverages. Also the amount of toothpaste used and its ingestion during brushing (p = 0.000) were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The populations evaluated, that are related to the consumption of bottled beverages and involuntary toothpaste ingestion, and have a high prevalence of a mild level of fluorosis. Key words:Fluorosis, dental, risk factors, epidemiology.

Efecto de combinación de materiales de inclusión a diferentes presiones sobre movilidad de dientes artificiales durante el procesamiento protésico / Effect of the combination of materials for inclusion at different pressures on the mobility of artificial teeth during prosthetic processing

Objetivo: Comparar los cambios en la posición de los dientes artificiales en las prótesis totales maxilares al momento del prensado, mediante la medición en puntos de referencia pre determinados, bajo una fuerza de presión de 800, 1 000 y 1 250 kg, empleando yeso tipo III (Whip Mix, USA®) o silicona de condensación (Zhermack, Italia) como materiales de inclusión. Métodos: Fueron fabricadas 36 prótesis superiores obtenidas desde un modelo de yeso de un único paciente edéntulo total. Las réplicas fueron divididas de forma aleatoria en seis grupos, cada uno con seis repeticiones, considerando las variables involucradas, materiales y fuerza evaluada, tras el prensado y acrilizado. La diferencia entre los puntos referenciales fue establecida mediante Autocad (versión 21,2, Autodesk, España). Resultados: Se detectó una diferencia significativa entre la silicona y el yeso a 1 000 kg fuerza al 1% de nivel de significancia. Conclusiones: Existió mayor estabilidad en cuanto a movimiento cuando fue empleado como material de inclusión la silicona, con mejores resultados al emplear bajo 1 000 Kg fuerza de presión; independiente de la presión probada en todas las muestras existió movimiento en la posición original de los dientes artificiales. Palabras clave: Materiales dentales; Movilidad dentaria; Prostodoncia.

Objective: Compare the artificial teeth changes position in the maxillary total prosthesis at the time of pressing, by measuring at certain pre-determined reference points, under different types of pressure force of 800, 1 000 and 1 250 kg, using Type III gypsum (Whip Mix, USA®) and condensation silicone (Zhermack, Italy) as inclusion materials. Methods: 36 superior prostheses obtained from a plaster model of a single total edentulous patient were fabricated. The copies were randomly divided into 6 groups each with 6 repetitions, considering the involved variables, materials and evaluiated strength after press and process of being transformed in acrylic. The difference between the reference points was established by Autocad (21.2 version Autodesk, Spain). Results: significant difference was detected between silicone and gypsum at 1 000 force at 1% of significance level. Conclusions: Standing out more stability in terms of movement when used silicone as material for inclusion, with better results when using under 1 000 kg pressure force, independent of the pressure tested in all samples there was movement in the arti-ficial teeth original position. Keywords: Dental materials; Prosthodontics; Tooth mobility.

Supervivencia de restauraciones adhesivas en cavidades preparadas con dos técnicas de remoción de caries / Survival of adhesive restorations in cavities prepared with two caries removal techniques

Objetivo: evaluar la supervivencia de las restauraciones adhesivas sobre cavidades preparadas con remoción parcial de caries o remoción total de caries. Métodos: se planteó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, doble ciego. La muestra estuvo constituida por 107 piezas dentarias de 32 niños de 4 a 8 años de edad, que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión previamente determinados, con cavidades profundas que abarcaban una o dos superficies dentales, las cuales fueron tratadas mediante remoción parcial de caries o remoción total de caries. Las evaluaciones fueron realizadas cada 6 meses durante 2 años, desde el punto de vista radiográfico y clínico. De manera complementaria los menores y sus responsables recibieron motivación, capacitación, acompañamiento y dispositivos de aseo bucal de forma permanente. Los datos obtenidos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico de supervivencia de Kaplan-Meier y para la diferencia de tratamientos se utilizó la prueba Log Rank. Se realizó un análisis con tabla de supervivencia incluyendo los dos tratamientos a los 6, 12, 18 y 24 meses. Resultados: no se encontró diferencia significativa entre las técnicas de remoción total y parcial de caries (p= 0,61). El análisis mostró que los porcentajes de supervivencia fueron de 95 por ciento a los 6 meses, 88 por ciento a los 12 meses, 81 por ciento a los 18 meses y 55 por ciento a los 24 meses. Conclusiones: la utilización de remoción parcial o total de caries para la preparación de cavidades demostró no tener diferencias significativas. Para futuros estudios en los que se analice la supervivencia de las restauraciones se deberá considerar una pérdida de participantes del 30 por ciento(AU)

Objective: Evaluate the survival of adhesive restorations in cavities prepared with partial or total caries removal. Methods: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted. The sample was composed of 107 teeth of 32 children aged 4-8 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria set for the trial. These children had deep cavities that covered one or two dental surfaces, which were treated by partial or total caries removal. Radiographic and clinical evaluations were performed every six months for two years. The children involved in the trial and the adults in charge of them also received motivation sessions, training, support and oral hygiene devices on a permanent basis. The data obtained were subjected to Kaplan-Meier survival statistical analysis, and the Log Rank test was used to determine the difference between the treatments. Survival table analysis was performed which included the two treatments at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results: No significant difference was found between total and partial caries removal techniques (p= 0.61). Survival percentages were found to be 95 percent at 6 months, 88 percent at 12 months, 81 prcent at 18 months and 55 prcent at 24 months. Conclusions: No significant difference was found between the use of partial and total caries removal for cavity preparation. Further studies about restoration survival should consider a 30 percent dropout rate(AU)

Oral hygiene motivational talks for parents or guardians of children aged 5 to 8 years and its influence on the duration of composite resin restorations: a clinical study with a 24 months follow-up in Ecuador / Motivación en higiene bucal dirigida a padres o responsables de niños de 5 a 8 años de edad y su influencia sobre la duración de las restauraciones de resina compuesta: estudio clínico con seguimiento a 24 meses en Ecuador

ABSTRACT. Introduction: tissue loss due to carious processes is usually resolved with restorations, requiring abundant patient collaboration in oral hygiene. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oral hygiene motivational talks addressed to parents or guardians of children aged 5 to 8 years on the duration of composite resins over 24 months. Methods: a prospective descriptive study was conducted in 31 children and their parents or guardians meeting the inclusion criteria. The parents and guardians were trained in oral hygiene techniques, and the participating children's cavitated teeth were restored with composite resin, providing dental cleaning devices every 6 months during the study period. Clinical evaluations were performed every 6 months during the study period, evaluating the deterioration of restorations and the presence of visible plaque (VPI) and gingival bleeding (GBI). The data obtained were submitted to ANOVA statistical analysis and Student t-test through the STATA software. Results: There was a close relationship between oral hygiene indexes (p = 0,2019 for VPI and p = 0,6243 for GBI) and the deterioration of restorations, especially those involving proximal sides. Survival analysis showed that failure is lower in the presence of nearby caries (42.9%), with p values of 0.0045 for the occlusal-distal surface and 0.0291 for the occlusal-mesial one. Conclusion: the oral hygiene motivational talks addressed to parents or guardians of participating children influence the durability of composite resins.

RESUMEN. Introducción: la pérdida de tejido relacionada con procesos cariosos suele ser resuelta con restauraciones, cuyo cuidado depende en gran medida de la higiene oral del paciente. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en evaluar el efecto de la motivación en higiene bucal dirigida a padres o responsables de niños de 5 a 8 años de edad sobre la duración de resinas compuestas a lo largo de 24 meses. Métodos: se planteó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo, en el que participaron 31 niños y sus padres o responsables, que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión previamente determinados. Los representantes fueron capacitados en técnicas de higiene bucal, y los dientes afectados por caries de los menores intervenidos fueron restaurados mediante resina compuesta, contando con acceso a dispositivos de aseo dental cada 6 meses durante el periodo del estudio. Se realizaron evaluaciones clínicas cada 6 meses durante el periodo de estudio, evaluando el deterioro de la restauración y la presencia de placa visible y de sangrado gingival. Los datos obtenidos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico ANOVA y al test t-Student mediante el programa STATA. Resultados: se evidenció una estrecha relación entre los índices de higiene oral (p = 0,2019 para IPV y p= 0,6243 para ISG) y el deterioro de las restauraciones, en especial en aquellas que involucraban caras proximales. En la aplicación de las técnicas de supervivencia, el fracaso es menor en presencia de caries aledañas (42,9%), con valores p de 0,0045 para la superficie ocluso-distal y 0,0291 para la ocluso-mesial. Conclusión: la motivación a padres o responsables de los participantes sobre higiene bucal influyó sobre la durabilidad de las resinas compuestas.

Blood donation practices, motivations and beliefs in Montreal's Black communities: the modern gift under a new light.

OBJECTIVES: Through the conceptual lens of the archaic and modern gift, this study aims to examine perceived limitations and facilitators to increasing blood donations within Black communities in Montreal, Canada. The overall objective is to support blood agencies, such as Héma-Québec, in understanding the challenges and opportunities they face in promoting blood donation among Black communities in pluralistic societies. DESIGN: Thirty-three semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with donors and leaders of ethnocultural groups in Montreal: of these, 6 were Héma-Québec employees; 3 were Caribbean blood drive organizers; 14 were leaders of African, Caribbean or Black multiethnic churches and community groups; and finally, 10 were donors, including 2 African, 4 French-speaking Haitian and 4 English-speaking Caribbean. RESULTS: The existence of multiple Black communities in Montreal reflects the various facilitators and obstacles facing Héma-Québec. Caribbean and African communities have their own experiences with regard to blood donation as well as different relationships with the broader Quebec society, both of which have great impact on how they perceive the cause. Questions of trust, of giving to the family and to the community, as well as perceived social exclusion appear to be fundamental issues for our informants. The current participation of groups interested in bettering the lives of those affected by sickle cell anaemia combined with the fact that leaders felt more comfortable donating to someone close to the community suggests that the promotion of blood donation through this angle would be well received. CONCLUSION: Trust issues, perceived discrimination and social exclusion have structural and historical roots that can only be partly overcome with long-term efforts to increase awareness, develop collaborative partnerships and increase institutional efforts to adapt to the challenges of blood donation from Black citizens.