Effect of botulinum toxin A on pain, bite force, and satisfaction of patients with bruxism: A randomized single-blind clinical trial comparing two protocols.

Purpose: The current study aims to evaluate bite force, perception of orofacial pain, and treatment satisfaction of patients with bruxism using two protocols of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections. Material and Methods: Two groups of patients seeking bruxism treatment and presenting bilateral orofacial pain of muscle origin were randomly created according to BTX-A injection sites: masseter muscle only, bilaterally (3 points in each muscle, 10 U per point), and masseter and temporal muscles (3 points in each masseter muscle and 2 points in each temporal muscle, 10 U per point). The patients were evaluated preoperatively and longitudinally at 15, 90, 120, and 180 days by the use of visual analog scales for pain and treatment satisfaction and a gnathodynamometer for bite force recording. Results: The final sample included 10 participants in each group. Both groups presented mitigation of pain at 15, 90, 120, and 180 days in comparison with baseline; however, reduction in the posterior bite force was noted only at 15, 90, and 120 days. Quite high treatment satisfaction was reported from both groups at 15, 90, 120, and 180 days. No differences were observed between the groups in all evaluations and study periods. Conclusion: In general, considering pain relief, reduction in bite force, and treatment satisfaction, both protocols of BTX-A seem to be somewhat equally effective in the short-term management (up to 120 days) of bruxism.

Incidence and Impact of COVID-19 Cases in Brazilian Liver Transplant Recipients: An Academic, Single-center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Current literature reports diverge on the impact of COVID-19 in liver transplant (LT) recipients. Literature findings often report conflicting results, relying on small sample sizes, limited ethnic variability, and nonstandardized methodologies. Notably, there are no studies on this topic regarding Latin American populations. This study seeks to report the impact of COVID-19, disease characteristics, and progression in LT recipients in a Latin American academic center environment. METHODS: The study design was a historic cohort, including adult LT recipient patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who sought care between December 2019 to October 2021. The primary end point was defined as COVID-19-related death. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data was also collected. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were included, representing a 3.5% incidence within 752 patients in the follow-up. The mean age and years from transplantation were 54 (SD ± 11) and 6.3 years (SD ± 5.4), respectively. Most patients were white (23 - 85.2%) and male (21 - 25.2%). The hospitalization rate was 55.6%, and 5 patients (18.5%), all of whom subsequently died, were admitted to the intensive care unit. Neither the presence of comorbidities nor advanced age were related to lethality. Patients with immunosuppression modifications (P = 0.039) or isolated tacrolimus suspension (P = 0.006) were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study described COVID-19 infections in LT recipients in Latin American populations. This group was not affected by common factors associated with higher lethality, and displayed a tendency toward lower hospitalization rates. Our study concurred with previously reported evidence of a protective association of tacrolimus maintenance during treatment in LT recipients affected by COVID-19.

Beneficial effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 treatment in an LPS-induced depression-like model in mice.

Clinical evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, activation of the immune system, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota are involved in the pathology of depression. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a probiotic intervention using Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 in ameliorating mood disorders in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated with 5 mg/kg LPS via intraperitoneal injection to induce depression-like symptoms, followed by oral administration of LL95 for one week (1â€¯× 109 CFU/mouse). The animals were then subjected to a series of behavioral assessments, including open field, sucrose preference, and forced swimming tests. In addition, we evaluated the levels of reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1ß in the hippocampal tissues of these animals, and also determined their fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) content. LL95 intervention improved LPS-induced depression-like behaviors in mice, including decreased sucrose preference and increased immobility time in the forced swim test. LL95 treatment reversed the LPS-induced increase in hippocampal levels of reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor-α, and of interleukin-1ß to a lesser extent. Furthermore, LL95 intervention increased the fecal LAB content in these animals, suggesting changes in the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that LL95 exerts antidepressant-like effects in LPS-induced depression, which may be attributed to modulation of the oxidative status and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus and alteration in the LAB content of the gut microbiota.

Botulinum Toxin A in the Management of a Gummy Smile: A Clinical Controlled Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is recent technique for the treatment of gummy smile. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this randomized controlled preliminary clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of BTX-A on excessive gingiva display (EGD) reduction, muscle activity, and patient satisfaction at 2, 8, 12, 16, 21, and 25 weeks. METHODS: Group 1 (G1) received 4 points of BTX-A application (2 U/point) for relaxation of the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi and levator labii superioris muscles; Group 2 (G2) received 2 points of BTX-A (2 U/point) for relaxation of only the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle. RESULTS: A high dropout of patients from follow-up sessions occurred. Therefore, because of this data limitation, the results were considered a preliminary outcome. At 2 weeks, there was a significant difference between baseline regarding the reduction of EGD in G1 and G2, reduction in muscle activity in G1, and increased satisfaction in G1 and G2. At 2 weeks, there was no difference between the 2 groups. Statistically significant EGD reduction was maintained until 16 weeks in G2 and 25 weeks in G1. After 14 days there was a gradual recovery of muscle activity in both groups until recovery of baseline values by 25 weeks. Patients' satisfaction with treatment lasted 21 weeks in G1 and 16 weeks in G2. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the number of BTX-A injection points resulted in a prolonged effect regarding EGD reduction and patient satisfaction but did not increase the intensity of the outcome. However, due to the high dropout of patients, this is a preliminary conclusion and further studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Influence of 35% hydrogen peroxide gel renewal on color change during in-office dental photobleaching with violet LED: A split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To clinically evaluate the effect of 35% hydrogen peroxide gel renewal in association with violet LED (405-410nm) through a split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial. METHODS: The treatment consisted in 3 bleaching sessions of 15 min each, with an interval of 7 days between them, using 35% hydrogen peroxide combined to violet LED irradiation. Selected patients had two experimental segments for the split-mouth design: No change of the bleaching gel during each session (NBGR) and 3 changes of the bleaching gel every 5 min for each session (BGR). During the 3 bleaching sessions, the selected quadrant received the same treatment. Patients had their upper canines and central incisors teeth color measured with a subjective (color scale - VITA Classical) and an objective (spectrophotometer - VITA Easyshade) method and their teeth sensitivity measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before, immediately after each bleaching session, and 14 days and 2 months (60 days) after the end of the treatment. RESULTS: The protocol adopted in the present study reached satisfactory results regarding color change. No statistical difference between groups was observed immediately after the end of the treatment and in the follow-up analysis for both subjective and objective color evaluation. No difference in tooth sensitivity between segments was observed. CONCLUSION: There is no need for bleaching gel renewal when following the clinical protocol of 3 sessions of 15 min in a bleaching protocol of 35% hydrogen peroxide combined with violet LED.

A subchronic low-dose exposure of a glyphosate-based herbicide induces depressive and anxious-like behavior in mice: quercetin therapeutic approach.

In this study, we investigated the possible role of pesticide exposure in contributing to neurological diseases such as depression. Here, we evaluated whether a subchronic low dose of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) could induce alterations in the central nervous system, using the flavonoid quercetin as a therapeutic strategy. Forty mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, GBH, quercetin, and GBH+Quer groups and received 50 mg/kg of GBH solution, 30 mg/kg of quercetin, and/or vehicles for 30 days via gavage. After performing behavioral tests, such as the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT), the mice were euthanized and their hippocampal tissues were collected to measure the levels of oxidative stress markers such as reactive species (RS), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), as well as for histological evaluation. The GBH group showed anxious and depressive-like behavior in the EPM and FST tests, as well as increased levels of RS and decreased GSH levels in the hippocampus. Quercetin treatment in the GBH+Quer group allowed partial or total improvement in behavioral tests (EPM and FST) and in the levels of oxidative stress markers (RS and GSH). However, the quercetin group showed similar behavior to the GBH group after treatment. The results revealed that oral exposure to a subchronic low dose of GBH was capable of promoting effects on behavior and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of mice. In addition, despite quercetin having a neuroprotective role, caution is needed when considering the possible per se effects of its continuous supplementation.

Curcumin-loaded lipid-core nanocapsules attenuates the immune challenge LPS-induced in rats: Neuroinflammatory and behavioral response in sickness behavior.

The purpose of current study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin (CUR) loaded lipid-core nanocapsules (CUR-LNC) treatment on neuroinflammatory and behavioral alterations in a model of sickness behavior induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Rats were treated with CUR-LNC and CUR daily for 14 days. After the last treatments, sickness behavior was induced with LPS. Sickness behavior LPS-induced was confirmed by behavioral tests, an increase in levels of proinflammatory cytokines, decrease in levels of IL-10, overexpression of IDO-1 and IDO-2. In conclusion, CUR-LNC treatment attenuated the neuroinflammatory and behavioral changes caused in sickness behavior model.

Incidência da Síndrome de Burnout em profissionais de enfermagem atuantes em unidade de terapia intensiva / Incidence of Burnout Syndrome in nursing professionals in intensive therapy unit / Incidencia del Síndrome de Burnout en profesionales de enfermería actuales en unidad de terapia intensiva

Objetivo: Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos avaliar a incidência da síndrome de Burnout em profissionais de enfermagem que atuam em unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital público de João Pessoa, e analisar os principais fatores que ocasionam esta síndrome. Métodos: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo com abordagem quantitativa, feita com enfermeiros e técnicos em enfermagem que atuam em terapia intensiva. Participaram 25 profissionais com idade media de 37 anos, predominância do sexo feminino, e com tempo médio de atuação na área de 18 anos. Resultados: O profissional que atua em instituições hospitalares está exposto a diferentes estressores ocupacionais que afetam diretamente o seu bem-estar, como longas jornadas de trabalho, o contato constante com dor, sofrimento e morte. Conclusão: A partir desse estudo foi possível verificar a importância da saúde mental dos trabalhadores para se obter um bom desempenho profissional e proporcionar aos pacientes uma assistência de qualidade

Objective: This study aimed at assessing the incidence of Burnout Syndrome among nursing professionals working in the intensive care unit of a public hospital in João Pessoa city, Paraíba State, Brazil, and analyzing the main factors causing this syndrome. Methods: This research with a quantitative approach was performed with both nurses and nurse technicians working in an intensive care unit. Twenty-five professionals with an average age of 37 years old participated in the study, most of them being females working in the area for 18 years on average. Results: Professionals working in hospitals are exposed to different occupational stressors that directly affect their well-being, such as long working hours and constant contact with pain, suffering, and death. Conclusion: From the study results, it was possible to verify the importance of workers' mental health to obtain good professional performance and provide patients with quality care

Objetivo: Esta investigación tuvo como objetivos evaluar la incidencia del síndrome de Burnout en profesionales de enfermería que actúan en unidad de terapia intensiva de un hospital público de João Pessoa y analizar los principales factores que ocasionan este síndrome. Métodos: Se trata de una investigación de campo con abordaje cuantitativo, hecha con enfermeros y técnicos en enfermería que actúan en terapia intensiva. Participaron 25 profesionales con edad media de 37 años, predominancia del sexo femenino, y con tiempo promedio de actuación en el área de 18 años. Resultados: El profesional que actúa en instituciones hospitalarias está expuesto a diferentes estresores ocupacionales que afectan directamente su bienestar, como largas jornadas de trabajo, el contacto constante con dolor, sufrimiento y muerte. Conclusión: A partir de este estudio fue posible verificar la importancia de la salud mental de los trabajadores para obtener un buen desempeño profesional y proporcionar a los pacientes una asistencia de calidad

Slow freezing versus vitrification for the cryopreservation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) ovarian tissue.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of vitrification and slow freezing techniques for the cryopreservation of zebrafish ovarian tissue containing immature follicles. In Experiment 1, assessment of cell membrane integrity by trypan blue exclusion staining was used to select the best cryoprotectant solution for each cryopreservation method. Primary growth (PG) oocytes showed the best percentage of membrane integrity (63.5 ± 2.99%) when SF4 solution (2 M methanol + 0.1 M trehalose + 10% egg yolk solution) was employed. The vitrification solution, which presented the highest membrane integrity (V2; 1.5 M methanol + 5.5 M Me2SO + 0.5 M sucrose + 10% egg yolk solution) was selected for Experiment 2. Experiment 2 aimed to compare the vitrification and slow freezing techniques in the following parameters: morphology, oxidative stress, mitochondrial activity, and DNA damage. Frozen ovarian tissue showed higher ROS levels and lower mitochondrial activity than vitrified ovarian tissue. Ultrastructural observations of frozen PG oocytes showed rupture of the plasma membrane, loss of intracellular contents and a large number of damaged mitochondria, while vitrified PG oocytes had intact mitochondria and cell plasma membranes. We conclude that vitrification may be more effective than slow freezing for the cryopreservation of zebrafish ovarian tissue.

Cationic and anionic unloaded polymeric nanocapsules: Toxicological evaluation in rats shows low toxicity.

The experimental design aiming at evaluating the performance of drugs nanoencapsulated involves inclusion of a formulation without drug (unloaded). This formulation has sometimes presented per se effect. In this sense, we sought to evaluate the toxicity of unloaded polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) with different surfaces (cationic and anionic) in male Wistar rats in male Wistar rats. The physicochemical characterization of NCs with different surfaces: polysorbate 80 (P80), polyethylene glycol (PEG), eudragit ®RS 100 (EUD) and chitosan (CS) was performed. Rats were treated with unloaded NCs (P80, PEG, EUD and CS surfaces) daily for 14 days per oral route. 24 h of last treatment, animals were euthanized and organs were removed and weighted. After, biochemical determinations were performed. In general, NCs-surfaces did not cause alterations in body weight, weight of organs and histopathological analysis. PEG-surface NCs did not generate hepatotoxicity. In investigation of lipid profile, the surface with P80 changed TC and HDL-C levels. Besides that, all NCs did not alter oxidative stress markers in organs studied (TBARS and Reactive Species) and CS-surface presented antioxidant activity in kidney. This study demonstrated that NCs-surfaces depending on their physicochemical characteristics had low or no toxicity.

In Vitro Probiotic and Antioxidant Potential of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 and Its Effect in Mice Behaviour.

The composition of intestinal microbiota is widely believed to not only affect gut health but also influence behaviour. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic characteristics, antioxidant activity, and antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95. This strain showed probiotic properties such as resistance in a simulated gastric tract model and survival at different concentrations of NaCl and bile salts. Moreover, antioxidant activity of LL95 was demonstrated through DPPH radical scavenging activity, scavenging of ABTS•+ radical and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Female C57BL/6 mice received LL95 orally at a dose of 109 UFC/day for 28 days. LL95 improved depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour, demonstrated by decreased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swim test and increased per cent of time spent in the open arms on the elevated plus maze. These findings indicate the potential antioxidant activity of LL95 and its role in behaviour, suggesting that probiotic may have therapeutic applications.

Effect of γ-oryzanol on testicular degeneration induced by scrotal insulation in rams.

The present study assessed the effects of daily supplementation with 33 mg/metabolic weight (MW) of γ-oryzanol on testicular degeneration induced by scrotal insulation in rams. Eight animals were divided into two groups: Control (subjected to scrotal insulation without treatment) and Gamma (subjected to scrotal insulation and γ-oryzanol treatment). The rams were subjected to scrotal insulation by covering the scrotum with a thermal bag for 72 h. Animals in the Gamma group received 33 mg/MW oral γ-oryzanol once-daily, beginning 7 days before insulation and continuing during insulation and for 20 days afterward, for a total treatment period of 30 days. Samples of semen and blood were collected during the experiment to perform biochemical evaluations of oxidative stress, seminal kinetics and morphology, and plasma testosterone concentrations. Ultrasound examinations of the testicular parenchyma and clinical evaluations of its consistency and the scrotal perimeter were also performed at weekly intervals. Testicular tissue was collected for biochemical analyses of oxidative stress parameters at the end of the experiment by orchiectomy. The results showed that testicular degeneration was induced by scrotal insulation, as was demonstrated by the reduced scrotal perimeter and increased in testicular flaccidity immediately after insulation. Moreover, a delayed increase in the number of hyperechoic points in the parenchyma and a delayed reduction in sperm motility were observed at 10 weeks after insulation by ultrasonography. Treatment with γ-oryzanol reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the testes, and increased the total antioxidant potential (assessed based on the ferric reducing ability (FRAP)) in week 10 and levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS). It also increased the number of intact spermatozoa in week 3, but increased the total number of sperm defects from week 5 onwards. Although γ-oryzanol protected the semen and testes by reducing the levels of the parameters of oxidative stress evaluated herein, the other parameters studied were not improved by the treatment. In addition, supplementation with γ-oryzanol led to more morphological abnormalities in the sperm. This study presented new information on the oral administration of γ-oryzanol to rams with testicular degeneration, and described potential therapies for this pathology, which currently has no established treatment and has important impacts on reproductive health.

Comparative effect of Camellia sinensis teas on object recognition test deficit and metabolic changes induced by cafeteria diet.

Objectives: Consumption of high-fat and high-sugar diets in Western countries has increased significantly causing major global health problems including metabolic syndrome and obesity. In addition, studies have suggested that obesity can lead to learning and memory deficits. In this context, the use of natural compounds with low costs, minor side effects and increased antioxidant activity, such as teas, could reduce the damages induced by obesity. We investigated the effect of white, green, red, and black teas (Camellia sinensis) and their possible neuroprotective mechanisms in an experimental obesity model induced by a cafeteria diet (CD). Methods: Female Swiss mice (20-30 g) were used; they received a normal diet or a hypercaloric diet (CD) during 8 weeks. Concomitantly, some mice received orally white, green, red, or black teas (1% dose) or water. Results: The mice subjected to CD showed weight gain, body fat accumulation, increased glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, associated to recognition memory deficits and increased reactive species (RS) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus. All teas significantly reduced AChE activity and partially reduced fat accumulation. Green and red teas reduced memory deficit. White, green, and black teas reduced RS levels, while only green and black tea reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Discussion: According to the results obtained it is possible to conclude that green tea was better than other teas in reducing effects of the CD model, being able to protect a greater number of parameters.

Selenofuranoside improves long-term memory deficits in rats after exposure to monosodium glutamate: Involvement of Na+, K+-ATPase activity.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the most widely used additive in the food industry; however, some adverse effects of this additive, including functional, learning, and behavioral alterations, have been observed in experimental animals and humans. Studies have shown learning and memory impairment in adult animals exposed to MSG. However, studies relating exposure to MSG to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Na+, K+-ATPase activities and memory damage are still scarce in the literature. The aim of the present study was to assess the possible protective effects of selenofuranoside, an organoselenium compound, against the impairment of long-term memory, Na+, K+-ATPase and AChE activities, and oxidative stress after MSG exposure in rats. MSG (2g/kg) and/or selenofuranoside (5mg/kg) were administered orally to 5-week-old male Wistar rats for 10days. On the 10th day, after the administration of last dose of the drug(s), the rats were subjected to behavioral tests: the open-field test and step-down passive avoidance task (SDPA). The blood, liver, kidney, cortex, and hippocampus were removed to determine the oxidative stress parameters, such as the levels of reactive species, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and endogenous nonenzymatic antioxidant content. Furthermore, the cortex and hippocampus were used to determine the Na+, K+-ATPase and AChE activities. The results demonstrate that the administration of MSG led to long-term memory impairment, as shown in the SDPA task, and also hippocampal and cortical Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition. There were no alterations in the AChE activity and oxidative stress parameters. Treatment with selenofuranoside attenuated memory impairment associated with MSG exposure by improving the hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity.