Effect of salivary urea, pH and ureolytic microflora on dental calculus formation and its correlation with periodontal status.

Context: Dental calculus, formed by mineralization of plaque predisposes to the development of periodontal disease. Aim: To evaluate the influence of salivary urea and the presence of ureolytic bacteria on dental calculus formation and periodontal status in patients with good, fair and poor oral hygiene. Material and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out on 135 patients, 18-60 years of age. Based on the simplified calculus index, patients were divided into three groups, good oral hygiene, fair oral hygiene and poor oral hygiene. Clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, pocket probing depth and clinical attachment level and salivary pH were recorded for each subject. Saliva samples were collected to evaluate the urea levels using autoanalyzer method. Supragingival calculus samples were collected and presence and quantification of ureolytic bacteria were done by gram staining and bacterial culture and confirmed by biochemical reaction. For statistical analysis, test like Shapiro-Wilk test, Kruskal Wallis and Spearman's rho were used. Results: Increase in salivary pH was associated with increased odds of higher calculus index score (odds ratio = 2.785). There was a non-significant weak correlation between salivary urea and ureolytic bacteria in dental calculus in all the three groups (p > 0.05). Higher calculus index score was associated with increased odds of presence of ureolytic bacteria (odds ratio>1). Conclusions: Higher level of ureolytic bacteria with increasing calculus index score may breakdown the salivary urea to ammonia resulting in a ureolytic pH rise that facilitate calcium phosphate saturation leading to more calculus formation.

Genomic variation in baboons from central Mozambique unveils complex evolutionary relationships with other Papio species.

BACKGROUND: Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique hosts a large population of baboons, numbering over 200 troops. Gorongosa baboons have been tentatively identified as part of Papio ursinus on the basis of previous limited morphological analysis and a handful of mitochondrial DNA sequences. However, a recent morphological and morphometric analysis of Gorongosa baboons pinpointed the occurrence of several traits intermediate between P. ursinus and P. cynocephalus, leaving open the possibility of past and/or ongoing gene flow in the baboon population of Gorongosa National Park. In order to investigate the evolutionary history of baboons in Gorongosa, we generated high and low coverage whole genome sequence data of Gorongosa baboons and compared it to available Papio genomes. RESULTS: We confirmed that P. ursinus is the species closest to Gorongosa baboons. However, the Gorongosa baboon genomes share more derived alleles with P. cynocephalus than P. ursinus does, but no recent gene flow between P. ursinus and P. cynocephalus was detected when available Papio genomes were analyzed. Our results, based on the analysis of autosomal, mitochondrial and Y chromosome data, suggest complex, possibly male-biased, gene flow between Gorongosa baboons and P. cynocephalus, hinting to direct or indirect contributions from baboons belonging to the "northern" Papio clade, and signal the presence of population structure within P. ursinus. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of genome data generated from baboon samples collected in central Mozambique highlighted a complex set of evolutionary relationships with other baboons. Our results provided new insights in the population dynamics that have shaped baboon diversity.

Long term antifungal efficacy of silver-zinc zeolite nanoparticles incorporated in two soft denture liners - An in vitro assessment.

Background: There is generally a lack of compliance in patients who report with oral candidiasis, as they are advised to temporarily stop wearing the prosthesis and are prescribed topical antifungals which are generally unpleasant to taste and follow a rigorous schedule. Furthermore, with the alarming evidence of drug resistance, there is a need for an enhanced drug and drug delivery system. The aim of the study was to determine the dose-dependent antifungal efficacy of silver-zinc zeolite nanoparticles (SZZ-NPs) when incorporated in two brands of soft denture liners against Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 samples were made to determine the in vitro antifungal efficacy of SZZ-NPs and fluconazole by measuring the mean inhibition diameter (MID). Two concentrations of SZZ-NPs were compared (0.5%, 2% w/w) with fluconazole 5%w/w which is routinely prescribed. The antifungals were incorporated in two types of commercially available soft denture liners (Visco gel, GC soft denture liner). The MIDs were measured at day 1, day 7, day 15, and day 30. The values obtained (P < 0.001) were analyzed with one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc, and independent t-test. Results: A statistically significant difference (P < 0.001) was noted among all the antifungal agents at all the time intervals tested. The anti-fungal efficacy of SSZ-NPs 2% w/w incorporated in GC soft denture liner was significantly superior (P < 0.001) to all groups tested and it retained its antifungal efficacy even on day 30 (MID: 18.33 ± 2.44). Conclusion: SZZ-NPs 0.5%w/w, 2%w/w, and fluconazole 5%w/w can be incorporated with soft denture liners against C. albicans. Fluconazole 5%w/w is the recommended choice for short-term antifungal efficacy, while SZZ-NPs 2%w/w is recommended when long-term antifungal efficacy is needed. GC soft denture liner was the recommended choice.

Jugular Lymphadenitis as a Precursor to Burkholderia Pseudomallei Sepsis.

Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative environmental saprophyte, Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei). Common presentations include pneumonia, bone and joint disease, renal and soft tissue infections. However, head and neck involvement is rare. We report a jugular lymphnode abscess associated with facial percutaneous inoculation of B. pseudomallei. Hospital course was complicated by endocarditis, septic arthritis and pyelonephritis. Surgical drainage and intensive and eradicative phase of antibiotics successfully cured the disease.

Procedimentos de ensino adotados no curso de graduação em Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais: uma análise documental / Educational procedures employed in the undergraduate course in Dentistry of the Federal University of Minas Gerais: a document analysis

Objetivo: Analisar os procedimentos de ensino citados pelos professores nos planos de ensino. Material e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo documental cujos dados foram coletados de abril a maio de 2015. Foram analisados 30 planos representando 53,6% das disciplinas obrigatórias, cuja seleção se deu por meio de sorteio. Os procedimentos de ensino foram agrupados em individuais e interativos, de acordo com a literatura da área de didática. Resultados: Verificou-se que em 24 planos (80,0%) foram citados procedimentos de ensino individuais e interativos, destacando-se a aula expositiva com 96,7% e a discussão (53,3%), respectivamente. Observa-se uma pequena diversificação de procedimentos de ensino com uma concentração em procedimentos tradicionalmente já adotados no ensino superior. Conclusão: A pouca diversidade das metodologias encontradas pode significar dificuldades dos professores no conhecimento das dinâmicas de diferentes estratégias de ensino e aprendizagem. Os resultados apontam que o planejamento didático deve se configurar como uma atividade permanente, pois implica em ação refletida do professor, de reelaboração de sua prática educativa. Descritores: Ensino. Odontologia. Currículo. Metodologia.

[Access to social networks and health care among extremely poor people]. / Acceso a redes sociales y de salud de población en extrema pobreza.

BACKGROUND: Extremely poor people have more problems to have access to social networks and health care. AIM: To evaluate the access to health services and the perception about these services of adults living in conditions of extreme poverty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was applied to 361 people living in slums aged 15 to 77 years (83% females), that were living in these conditions for a mean of 11 years. Twenty six in-depth interviews were also performed to prototypical subjects living in extreme poverty. RESULTS: Ten percent of subjects were illiterate. Sixty two percent were unsatisfied with their access to health services and 32% were not registered in primary health clinics. Among children of less than 6 years of age, 22% were delayed in their vaccination schedule and 32% were not withdrawing the milk delivered by the complementary feeding program of the clinic. The qualitative analysis revealed that the lack of access to health care is associated with the feeling of exclusion, mutual distrust and lack of resolution of health problems. CONCLUSIONS: People living in extreme poverty are distrustful and perceive obstacles to have access to the health care system.

Acceso a redes sociales y de salud de población en extrema pobreza / Access to social networks and health care among extremely poor people

Background: Extremely poor people have more problems to have access to social networks and health care. Aim: To evaluate the access to health services and the perception about these services of adults living in conditions of extreme poverty. Material and methods: A survey was applied to 361 people living in slums aged 15 to 77 years (83 percent females), that were living in these conditions for a mean of 11 years. Twenty six in-depth interviews were also performed to prototypical subjects living in extreme poverty. Results: Ten percent of subjects were illiterate. Sixty two percent were unsatisfied with their access to health services and 32 percent were not registered in primary health clinics. Among children of less than 6 years of age, 22 percent were delayed in their vaccination schedule and 32 percent were not withdrawing the milk delivered by the complementary feeding program of the clinic. The qualitative analysis revealed that the lack of access to health care is associated with the feeling of exclusion, mutual distrust and lack of resolution of health problems. Conclusions: People living in extreme poverty are distrustful and perceive obstacles to have access to the health care system.