Social Economic Disadvantage and Untreated Dental Caries: Findings from a Cohort Study in Adolescents.

This study aimed to assess the impact of determinants of the individual and contextual level on the untreated dental caries during adolescence. A cohort study was started in 2012 with a random sample of 1,134 12-year-old adolescents in the city of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. The adolescents were clinically evaluated by calibrated dentists and investigated variables: contextual, demographic, socioeconomic factors, dental service use, toothache, and subjective variables. After 2 years (T2) and 6 years (T3), the same adolescents were reevaluated (retention rate of 67.9% and 67.8%, respectively). Untreated dental caries (component "D" of the DMFT index) was the outcome and was collected at all three times. Multilevel Poisson regression analyses considered repeated measures (level 1 - times), nested to adolescents (level 2), were used to assess the association between predictors (baseline) and untreated dental caries. High neighborhood's mean income was associated with the lowest risk of dental caries. Low household income (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.57; confidence interval 95% [CI]: 1.35-1.82), low mother education (IRR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.38), toothache (IRR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.47-2.03), and poor self-perception of oral health (IRR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.07-1.32) were risk factors for untreated dental caries. In conclusion, our results showed that socioeconomic disadvantages and oral conditions in early adolescence are risk factors for untreated caries among adolescents.

Machine Learning in the Diagnosis and Prognostic Prediction of Dental Caries: A Systematic Review.

We performed a systematic review to evaluate the success of machine learning algorithms in the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of dental caries. The review protocol was a priori registered in the PROSPERO, CRD42020183447. The search involved electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and grey literature until December 2020. We excluded review articles, case series, case reports, editorials, letters, comments, educational methodologies, assessments of robotic devices, and articles with less than 10 participants or specimens. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and performed the assessment of the methodological quality based on standardized scales. We summarize data on the machine learning algorithms used; software; performance outcomes such as accuracy/precision, sensitivity/recall, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and positive/negative predictive values related to dental caries. Meta-analyses were not performed due to methodological differences. Our review included 15 studies (10 diagnostic studies and 5 prognostic prediction studies). Cross-sectional design studies were predominant (12). The most frequently used statistical measure of performance reported in diagnostic studies was AUC value, which ranged from 0.745 to 0.987. For most diagnostic studies, data from contingency tables were not available. Reported sensitivities were higher in low risk of bias prognostic prediction studies (median [IQR] of 0.996 [0.971-1.000] vs. unclear/high risk of bias studies 0.189 [0-0.340]; p value 0.025). While there were no significant differences in the specificity between these subgroups, we concluded that the use of these technologies for the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of dental caries, although promising, is at an early stage. The general applicability of the evidence was limited given that most models were developed outside the real clinical setting with a prevalence of unclear/high risk of bias. Researchers must increase the overall quality of their research protocols by providing a comprehensive report on the methods implemented.

Scope and challenges of machine learning-based diagnosis and prognosis in clinical dentistry: A literature review.

BACKGROUND: Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a branch of artificial intelligence dealing with the analysis of large amounts of data. The applications of ML algorithms have also expanded to health care, including dentistry. Recent advances in this field point to future improvements in diagnostic techniques and the prognosis of various diseases of the teeth and other maxillofacial structures. AIM: The aim of this literature review is to describe the basis for ML being applied to different dental sub-fields in recent years, to identify typical algorithms used in the studies, and to summarize the scope and challenges of using these techniques in dental clinical practice. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: The proficiency of emerging technologies that have begun to show encouraging results in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral diseases can improve the precision in the selection of treatment for patients. It is necessary to understand the challenges associated with using these tools to effectively use them in dental services and ensure a higher quality of care for patients.

Pathways influencing dental caries increment among children: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Dentists should assess pathways influencing the increment of dental caries among children to guide the prevention and treatment of the disease. AIM: Evaluate the pathways that influence the increment of carious lesions in pre-school children. DESIGN: This is a 2-year cohort study was conducted with a random sample of 639 pre-school children in southern Brazil. Caries experience, socioeconomic status (SES), social capital, and psychosocial characteristics were obtained at baseline. Increment of dental caries was assessed at 2 years follow-up in 467 children (cohort retention rate of 73.1%). Previously calibrated examiners assess the caries through the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the pathways influencing dental caries increment. RESULTS: Dental caries at baseline was heavily influenced by children's age (SC: 0.381, P < .01), tooth plaque (SC: 0.077, P = .02), parent's perception child oral health (SC: 0.295, P < .01), and household (SC: 0.148, P < .01). Increment of dental caries was directly affected by dental caries at baseline (Standardized Coefficients [SC]: 0.377, P < .01). Indirect paths were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Dental caries experience was the main factor of direct influence on the increment of caries, reinforcing the theory of risk accumulation over time.

Programa educativo para la prevención del cáncer bucal desde la adolescencia / Educational program for the prevention of oral cancer since adolescence

RESUMEN Fundamento: el cáncer bucal aporta un número considerable en las cifras de morbilidad las que aumentarán en los decenios venideros. Informar sobre el tema pudiera ser el punto de partida si se pretende combatir este flagelo de la vida moderna. Objetivo: diseñar un programa educativo sobre cáncer bucal para adolescentes según necesidades identificadas. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con enfoque mixto, de intervención educativa, prexperimental, prospectiva y de corte longitudinal en el municipio de Santa Clara en el período comprendido entre febrero/2016 a noviembre/2017. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos y empíricos que permitieron la fundamentación bibliográfica y la recogida de información. Resultados: en el diagnóstico aplicado predominaron factores de riesgos como mala higiene bucal, consumo de dieta no protectora e insuficiencias de conocimientos sobre el cáncer bucal entre los adolescentes; y práctica de hábitos tóxicos por padres u otros familiares, por lo que se diseñó un programa educativo el cual fue valorado por criterio de especialistas y aplicado con resultados muy favorables en la solución de los problemas detectados. Conclusiones: los especialistas lo consideraron pertinente, factible, útil, con adecuada estructura y valor científico y pedagógico, y se comprobó su efectividad a partir de su aplicación en el grupo de adolescentes para el cual fue diseñado.

ABSTRACT Background: oral cancer contributes with a considerable number in the morbidity figures which will increase in the coming decades. Reporting on this issue could be the starting point in the battle against this scourge of modern life. Objective: to design an educational program on oral cancer for adolescents according to identified needs. Methods: a development research was carried out with a mixed approach, educational intervention, pre-experimental, prospective and longitudinal study in the municipality of Santa Clara in the period from February/ 2016 to November / 2017. Theoretical and empirical methods were used that allowed the bibliographic foundation and the collection of information. Results: in the applied diagnosis, risk factors predominated, such as poor oral hygiene, non-protective diet consumption and insufficiency of knowledge about oral cancer among adolescents; and practice of toxic habits by parents or other family members, that´s why an educational program was designed, which was assessed by specialists and applied with very favorable results in the solution of the problems detected. Conclusions: the specialists considered it pertinent, feasible, useful, with adequate structure and with scientific and pedagogical values, and its effectiveness was proven from its application in the adolescent group for which it was designed.

Índice del dolor postratamiento endodóntico / Pain Index after endodontic treatment

Introducción: Pronosticar la aparición de dolor postratamiento endodóntico favorece el juicio clínico de profesionales en relación con este procedimiento. Objetivo: Elaborar un índice a partir de factores que conducen al dolor postratamiento endodóntico en la población objeto de estudio. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación en dos etapas en la ciudad Santo Domingo, provincia Villa Clara. La primera fue un estudio analítico transversal sobre 94 tratamientos endodónticos seleccionados mediante un muestreo aleatorio, entre marzo y diciembre de 2015, para obtener un índice. La segunda fue un estudio transversal realizado sobre 62 tratamientos escogidos también de forma aleatoria, entre enero y mayo de 2016, para valorar la capacidad discriminatoria del índice. Se recopiló información mediante el interrogatorio, examen clínico y radiográfico, y se registró la presencia de dolor al terminar la terapia. Los datos se analizaron empleando estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Para la construcción del índice, se obtuvieron los valores del estadígrafo V de Cramer de cada variable. Resultados: Entre los factores asociados al dolor postratamiento endodóntico se observó como los más relevantes el dolor o inflamación preoperatorio, el dolor durante el tratamiento, el número de citas y el conducto radicular reducido; con valores de la V de Cramer de 0,848; 0,605; 0,595 y 0,592, respectivamente. La sensibilidad del índice propuesto fue del 83,3 pr ciento. Conclusiones: En la población estudiada se observaron varios factores asociados a la presencia de dolor postratamiento endodóntico; el dolor o inflamación preoperatorio resultó el de mayor significación. Estos factores se sintetizaron mediante un índice. El índice propuesto presentó una adecuada sensibilidad, lo que contribuye a establecer juicios pronósticos más acertados con respecto a la aparición posterior del dolor(AU)

Introduction: Predicting the onset of pain after endodontic treatment favors the professionals' clinical judgment regarding this procedure. Objective: To construct an index that combines the factors associated to pain after endodontic treatment in the study population. Methods: A study was carried out in two stages, in Santo Domingo City, Villa Clara Province. The first stage was a cross-sectional analytic study over a random sample of 94 endodontic treatments, collected in the period of March to December of 2015, for the construction of the index. The second stage was also a cross-sectional study over a sample of 62 treatments, carried out between January and May, 2016, with the purpose of assess the discriminatory ability of the obtained index. The information was collected through interrogation, clinical and radiographic examination; the presence of pain after therapy was recorded. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For the construction of the index, we obtained the Cramer's V statistic values ​​of each variable. Results: Among the factors associated with pain after endodontic treatment pain, the most were described such as preoperative pain or inflammation, pain during treatment, the number of appointments, and a reduced root canal, with Cramer's V values of 0.848, 0.605, 0.595 and 0.592, respectively. The sensitivity of the proposed index was 83.3 por ciento. Conclusions: In the studied population, a multi-causal relationship was observed in the factors associated with the presence of pain after endodontic treatment. The preoperative pain or inflammation was the most influential factor. This factors were synthesized by means of an index. The proposed index presents an adequate sensitivity, which contributes to establish more accurate judgments regarding the subsequent onset of pain(AU)

Índice del dolor postratamiento endodóntico / Pain Index after endodontic treatment

Introducción: Pronosticar la aparición de dolor postratamiento endodóntico favorece el juicio clínico de profesionales en relación con este procedimiento. Objetivo: Elaborar un índice a partir de factores que conducen al dolor postratamiento endodóntico en la población objeto de estudio. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación en dos etapas en la ciudad Santo Domingo, provincia Villa Clara. La primera fue un estudio analítico transversal sobre 94 tratamientos endodónticos seleccionados mediante un muestreo aleatorio, entre marzo y diciembre de 2015, para obtener un índice. La segunda fue un estudio transversal realizado sobre 62 tratamientos escogidos también de forma aleatoria, entre enero y mayo de 2016, para valorar la capacidad discriminatoria del índice. Se recopiló información mediante el interrogatorio, examen clínico y radiográfico, y se registró la presencia de dolor al terminar la terapia. Los datos se analizaron empleando estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Para la construcción del índice, se obtuvieron los valores del estadígrafo V de Cramer de cada variable. Resultados: Entre los factores asociados al dolor postratamiento endodóntico se observó como los más relevantes el dolor o inflamación preoperatorio, el dolor durante el tratamiento, el número de citas y el conducto radicular reducido; con valores de la V de Cramer de 0,848; 0,605; 0,595 y 0,592, respectivamente. La sensibilidad del índice propuesto fue del 83,3 pr ciento. Conclusiones: En la población estudiada se observaron varios factores asociados a la presencia de dolor postratamiento endodóntico; el dolor o inflamación preoperatorio resultó el de mayor significación. Estos factores se sintetizaron mediante un índice. El índice propuesto presentó una adecuada sensibilidad, lo que contribuye a establecer juicios pronósticos más acertados con respecto a la aparición posterior del dolor(AU)

Introduction: Predicting the onset of pain after endodontic treatment favors the professionals' clinical judgment regarding this procedure. Objective: To construct an index that combines the factors associated to pain after endodontic treatment in the study population. Methods: A study was carried out in two stages, in Santo Domingo City, Villa Clara Province. The first stage was a cross-sectional analytic study over a random sample of 94 endodontic treatments, collected in the period of March to December of 2015, for the construction of the index. The second stage was also a cross-sectional study over a sample of 62 treatments, carried out between January and May, 2016, with the purpose of assess the discriminatory ability of the obtained index. The information was collected through interrogation, clinical and radiographic examination; the presence of pain after therapy was recorded. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. For the construction of the index, we obtained the Cramer's V statistic values ​​of each variable. Results: Among the factors associated with pain after endodontic treatment pain, the most were described such as preoperative pain or inflammation, pain during treatment, the number of appointments, and a reduced root canal, with Cramer's V values of 0.848, 0.605, 0.595 and 0.592, respectively. The sensitivity of the proposed index was 83.3 por ciento. Conclusions: In the studied population, a multi-causal relationship was observed in the factors associated with the presence of pain after endodontic treatment. The preoperative pain or inflammation was the most influential factor. This factors were synthesized by means of an index. The proposed index presents an adequate sensitivity, which contributes to establish more accurate judgments regarding the subsequent onset of pain(AU)

Factores asociados al fracaso de la terapia de conductos radiculares / Factors associated to the failure of the root canal therapy

Objetivo: Identificar los principales factores asociados al fracaso en el tratamiento pulpo radicular. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio relacional longitudinal prospectivo en la localidad de Santa Clara, Cuba, en el periodo 2015-2017 donde se incluyó a 448 pacientes. Las variables estudiadas con relación al fracaso de la terapia fueron: edad, género, antecedentes sistémicos, apertura bucal limitada, grupo y localización de los dientes, anomalías dentarias de espacio, morfología radicular, alteración del número de raíces, canales reducidos, bifurcación del canal, calcificaciones pulpares, sensibilidad pulpar, reabsorción, complejidad del diagnóstico, dolor o inflamación preoperatorio, interpretación radiográfica, acceso cameral con complicaciones, dolor durante el tratamiento, calidad de la obturación y enfermedad periodontal. Resultados: De los 31 casos que presentaron el tamaño del canal reducido, 17 fracasaron, siendo este el factor de mayor significación en relación al fracaso endodóntico (p<0,01). Otras asociaciones significativas se encontraron en la sensibilidad pulpar que representó el 17% de los dientes (p=0,001), morfología radicular alterada observada en el 58% de los casos (p=0,005), y la calidad de la obturación deficiente del 4,9% de estos (p=0,009).Conclusiones: El estudio evidenció una asociación significativa de varios factores con la evolución de la terapia; registrándose la edad, grupo de dientes, localización de los dientes, morfología radicular, tamaño de los conductos, sensibilidad pulpar, calidad de la obturación y la enfermedad periodontal como los de mayor compromiso. Palabras clave: Atención odontológica; Endodoncia; Tratamiento del conducto radicular.

Objective: To identify the main factors associated to the failure of endodontic therapy. Methods: A relational prospective longitudinal study was performed in the city of Santa Clara in the period 2015-2017; resulting in a study group consisted of 448 patients. The selected variables associated with the failure of therapy were: age, gender, medical history, mouth opening, group location and position of tooth, root morphology, root apex number alteration root, visibility and size of the canals, branch, calcifications, pulp condition, reabsorption, diagnosis complexity, pain or swelling before therapy, difficulty radiographic diagnosis, cameral access complexity, pain during the treatment, quality of canal filling and periodontal disease. Results: Of 31 cases with reduced root canal size, 17 fail, being this the factor of greater significance (p<0.01) related to the therapy failure. Other factors with strong association were pulp condition (p=0.001), root morphology (p=0.005), as well as the quality of canal filling (p=0.009) which represent the 17%, 58% and 4.9% of the observed cases respectively. Conclusions: Age, group and location of tooth, root morphology, size of the canals, pulp condition, quality of filling and periodontal disease were the main factors associated to the root canal treatment failure. Keywords: Dental care; Endodontics; Root canal therapy.

Th1 and Th17 Cells and Associated Cytokines Discriminate among Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis Phenotypes.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It is a heterogeneous pathology that can follow different clinical courses, and the mechanisms that underlie the progression of the immune response across MS subtypes remain incompletely understood. Here, we aimed to determine differences in the immunological status among different MS clinical subtypes. Blood samples from untreated patients diagnosed with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) (n = 21), different clinical forms of MS (n = 62) [relapsing-remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive, and primary progressive], and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 17) were tested for plasma levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10, TGF-ß, IL-17A, and IL-17F by immunoanalysis. Th1 and Th17 lymphocyte frequencies were determined by flow cytometry. Our results showed that IFN-γ levels and the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio were higher in CIS patients than in RRMS patients and HC. Th1 cell frequencies were higher in CIS and RRMS than in progressive MS, and RRMS had a higher Th17 frequency than CIS. The Th1/Th17 cell ratio was skewed toward Th1 in CIS compared to MS phenotypes and HC. Receiver operating characteristic statistical analysis determined that IFN-γ, the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio, Th1 cell frequency, and the Th1/Th17 cell ratio discriminated among CIS and MS subtypes. A subanalysis among patients expressing high IL-17F levels showed that IL-17F and the IFN-γ/IL-17F ratio discriminated between disease subtypes. Overall, our data showed that CIS and MS phenotypes displayed distinct Th1- and Th17-related cytokines and cell profiles and that these immune parameters discriminated between clinical forms. Upon validation, these parameters might be useful as biomarkers to predict disease progression.

Caracterización de las pulpitis agudas / Characterization of acute pulpitis

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, desde mayo de 2014 hasta mayo de 2015, en la clínica estomatológica del policlínico Juan Bruno Zayas del municipio de Cifuentes, provincia de Villa Clara, con el objetivo de caracterizar las afecciones pulpares agudas en pacientes con edades de doce o mas años, con dentición permanente, de ambos sexos, y que estaban padeciendo de pulpitis agudas. La muestra quedó integrada por 312 personas. Se estudió la frecuencia de la enfermedad, así como las principales causas que la originaron. Las pulpitis agudas más comunes en Cifuentes fueron las reversibles, específicamente la pulpitis transitoria, causada por la caries dental y padecidas por hombres de 35-59 años(AU)

Pertinencia del trabajo metodológico para la funcionalidad de la disciplina integradora en Estomatología / Relevance of methodological work for the functionality of the integrating discipline in Odontology

La carrera de Estomatología ha transitado por diferentes planes de estudios. En la actualidad se desarrolla el Plan de Estudios D, el cual muestra un diseño de organización disciplinar que favorece la formación de un profesional de perfil amplio y que asume para este fin la Estomatología Integral como eje conductor en el currículo. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo brindar algunos apuntes acerca de cómo guiar el trabajo metodológico en este subsistema y asegurar una organización acorde con la lógica de la profesión. Se sugiere incrementar la labor metodológica mediante estrategias formativas integradoras vinculando tareas docentes con enfoque interdisciplinario. Se insiste, además, en la vinculación con las estrategias curriculares, los objetivos de los años académicos y las restantes disciplinas del currículo. Estos, entre otros aspectos, constituyen consideraciones válidas para afianzar el papel de la disciplina integradora en el proceso formativo(AU)

Evolución del tratamiento endodóntico y factores asociados al fracaso de laterapia / Evolution of endodontic treatment and factors associated with therapy failure

Introducción: en los tratamientos de endodoncia aún se estiman problemas que derivan en retratamientos, en dependencia, sobre todo, de variaciones anatómicas y otras condicionantes que complican la terapia. Objetivo: caracterizar la evolución del tratamiento endodóntico, según factores asociados, en losservicios estomatológicos de Santa Clara. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo, en el que se emplearon formularios, interrogatorio y examen clínico y radiográfico en el período comprendido de febrero del 2013 a marzo del 2014.Resultados: se valoró la evolución terapéutica a los seis meses de finalizado el tratamiento y este resultó desfavorable en el 29,3 por ciento de los pacientes. Con respecto a los aspectos clínicos asociados a la evolución desfavorable, no se evidenció recuperación de la función ni de la estética en la mayoría de los pacientes, y en el 18,3 por ciento de los individuos se informó la presencia de fístula.Conclusiones: en relación con los factores asociados a la evolución desfavorable de la terapia endodóntica, la curvatura radicular, el acceso cameral previo con complicaciones y el factor visibilidad y tamaño de los conductos, fueron los que más afectaron el resultado de la terapia y, por tanto, los de mayor relevancia al considerar el pronóstico del paciente(AU)

Complejidad del tratamiento endodóntico, según factores asociados / Endodontic treatment complexity and associated factors

Introducción: la clasificación de la complejidad de la terapia endodóntica permite estimar factores que pueden interferir su éxito. Objetivo: determinar la correspondencia entre la duración del tratamiento pulporadicular y la complejidad asignada, según el Formulario de Evaluación de las Dificultades del Tratamiento Endodóntico. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo con un muestreo por conglomerado bietápico; quedaron incluidos 82 pacientes. Fue aplicado un modelo que recoge factores asociados a la complejidad del tratamiento endodóntico, mediante el interrogatorio, examen clínico y radiográfico. Los datos fueron procesados con el software estadístico SPSS versión 15.0. Se emplearon técnicas de la estadística descriptiva (frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes). Las variables empleadas fueron: edad, sexo, antecedentes patológicos, anestésicos, conducta del paciente, apertura bucal, reflejo nauseoso, complicaciones, dificultad radiográfica, diagnóstico, posición en el arco, inclinación y rotación dentaria, morfología coronaria, ápice radicular, alteración del número de raíces, bifurcación, visibilidad y tamaño de los conductos, acceso cameral, presencia de calcificaciones, reabsorción, enfermedad periodontal y complejidad del tratamiento. Resultados: en 80,8 por ciento de los pacientes, la categoría de elevada dificultad el tratamiento tuvo una duración entre 6 y 10 semanas. El dolor moderado o intenso e inflamación extendida se presentó en 29,3 por ciento de los casos. Dentro de los factores relacionados con el diagnóstico y el tratamiento se observaron las restauraciones extensas, la moderada dificultad en la obtención e interpretación de la imagen radiográfica, así como la inclinación dentaria moderada y los conductos visibles, pero reducidos en 23,2 por ciento, 22,0 por ciento, 20,7 por ciento y 19,5 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la duración de la terapia aumenta en correspondencia con la complejidad que asigna el formulario. La evaluación de los factores asociados a la dificultad del tratamiento es importante para propiciar una conducta más razonable ante cada situación específica(AU)

Introduction: classifying the complexity of endodontic therapy makes it possible to identify factors which may interfere with its success. Objective: determine the correspondence between the duration of root canal treatment and the complexity assigned to it on the Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment Form. Methods: a prospective longitudinal descriptive study was conducted based on two-staged cluster sampling. The resulting study group was composed of 82 patients. A form was used which lists the factors associated with the complexity of endodontic treatment, collected through interviews and clinical and radiographic examination. Data were processed with the statistical software SPSS version 15.0. Use was made of descriptive statistics techniques (absolute frequencies and percentages). The variables studied were age, sex, pathological antecedents, anesthetics, patient behavior, mouth opening, gagging, complications, radiographic difficulty, diagnosis, position in the arch, dental inclination and rotation, crown morphology, root apex, alteration in the number of roots, bifurcation, duct visibility and size, chamber access, presence of calcifications, resorption, periodontal disease and complexity of the treatment. Results: in 80.8 percent of the patients, the category of high treatment difficulty had a duration of 6 to 10 weeks. Moderate or intense pain and extended swelling were present in 29.3 percent of the cases. The following factors related to the diagnosis and treatment were observed: extensive restorations, moderate difficulty to obtain and interpret the radiographic image, moderate dental inclination and visible ducts, occurring in 23.2 percent, 22.0 percent, 20.7 percent and 19.5 percent of the cases, respectively. Conclusions: treatment duration increases in keeping with the complexity assigned by the form. It is important to evaluate the factors associated with treatment difficulty to foster a more reasonable approach to each specific situation(AU)

Complejidad del tratamiento endodóntico, según factores asociados / Endodontic treatment complexity and associated factors

Introducción: la clasificación de la complejidad de la terapia endodóntica permite estimar factores que pueden interferir su éxito. Objetivo: determinar la correspondencia entre la duración del tratamiento pulporadicular y la complejidad asignada, según el Formulario de Evaluación de las Dificultades del Tratamiento Endodóntico. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo con un muestreo por conglomerado bietápico; quedaron incluidos 82 pacientes. Fue aplicado un modelo que recoge factores asociados a la complejidad del tratamiento endodóntico, mediante el interrogatorio, examen clínico y radiográfico. Los datos fueron procesados con el software estadístico SPSS versión 15.0. Se emplearon técnicas de la estadística descriptiva (frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes). Las variables empleadas fueron: edad, sexo, antecedentes patológicos, anestésicos, conducta del paciente, apertura bucal, reflejo nauseoso, complicaciones, dificultad radiográfica, diagnóstico, posición en el arco, inclinación y rotación dentaria, morfología coronaria, ápice radicular, alteración del número de raíces, bifurcación, visibilidad y tamaño de los conductos, acceso cameral, presencia de calcificaciones, reabsorción, enfermedad periodontal y complejidad del tratamiento. Resultados: en 80,8 por ciento de los pacientes, la categoría de elevada dificultad el tratamiento tuvo una duración entre 6 y 10 semanas. El dolor moderado o intenso e inflamación extendida se presentó en 29,3 por ciento de los casos. Dentro de los factores relacionados con el diagnóstico y el tratamiento se observaron las restauraciones extensas, la moderada dificultad en la obtención e interpretación de la imagen radiográfica, así como la inclinación dentaria moderada y los conductos visibles, pero reducidos en 23,2 por ciento, 22,0 por ciento, 20,7 por ciento y 19,5 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la duración de la terapia aumenta en correspondencia con la complejidad que asigna el ...(AU)

Introduction: classifying the complexity of endodontic therapy makes it possible to identify factors which may interfere with its success. Objective: determine the correspondence between the duration of root canal treatment and the complexity assigned to it on the Endodontic Case Difficulty Assessment Form. Methods: a prospective longitudinal descriptive study was conducted based on two-staged cluster sampling. The resulting study group was composed of 82 patients. A form was used which lists the factors associated with the complexity of endodontic treatment, collected through interviews and clinical and radiographic examination. Data were processed with the statistical software SPSS version 15.0. Use was made of descriptive statistics techniques (absolute frequencies and percentages). The variables studied were age, sex, pathological antecedents, anesthetics, patient behavior, mouth opening, gagging, complications, radiographic difficulty, diagnosis, position in the arch, dental inclination and rotation, crown morphology, root apex, alteration in the number of roots, bifurcation, duct visibility and size, chamber access, presence of calcifications, resorption, periodontal disease and complexity of the treatment.Results: in 80.8 percent of the patients, the category of high treatment difficulty had a duration of 6 to 10 weeks. Moderate or intense pain and extended swelling were present in 29.3 percent of the cases. The following factors related to the diagnosis and treatment were observed: extensive restorations, moderate difficulty to obtain and interpret the radiographic image, moderate dental inclination and visible ducts, occurring in 23.2 percent, 22.0 percent, 20.7 percent and 19.5 percent of the cases, respectively.Conclusions: treatment duration increases in keeping with the complexity assigned by the form. It is important to evaluate the factors associated with treatment difficulty to foster a more reasonable approach to each specific situation(AU)

Opposing Roles of Interferon-Gamma on Cells of the Central Nervous System in Autoimmune Neuroinflammation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the principal cause of autoimmune neuroinflammation in humans, and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), is widely used to gain insight about their immunopathological mechanisms for and the development of novel therapies for MS. Most studies on the role of interferon (IFN)-γ in the pathogenesis and progression of EAE have focused on peripheral immune cells, while its action on central nervous system (CNS)-resident cells has been less explored. In addition to the well-known proinflammatory and damaging effects of IFN-γ in the CNS, evidence has also endowed this cytokine both a protective and regulatory role in autoimmune neuroinflammation. Recent investigations performed in this research field have exposed the complex role of IFN-γ in the CNS uncovering unexpected mechanisms of action that underlie these opposing activities on different CNS-resident cell types. The mechanisms behind these two-faced effects of IFN-γ depend on dose, disease phase, and cell development stage. Here, we will review and discuss the dual role of IFN-γ on CNS-resident cells in EAE highlighting its protective functions and the mechanisms proposed.