Impact of Compensating Curves on Mastication of Complete Denture Wearers: A Randomised Triple-Blind Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The application of occlusal concepts in prosthodontics is still under debate.This study assessed the impact of compensating curves on the comminution of complete denture wearers. METHODS: Seven edentulous subjects, aged 64.6 ± 2.0 years, were rehabilitated with new muco-supported complete dentures and tested in two occlusal plane settings: with and without compensating curves. A randomised triple-blind clinical trial was conducted, considering one-week and one-month as adaptation periods for dentures. After each trial, the subjects were crossed over to their respective groups. One-week was also chosen as the washout period, and after that, the subjects were re-examined. The masticatory performance and swallowing threshold were determined while chewing Optocal test food. The multiple sieve method was used for fractionation and granulometry. RESULTS: During the masticatory performance and swallowing threshold estimates, no differences were found between the median particle sizes obtained with the both occlusal plane conditions (P ⟩ 0.05). However, the swallowing threshold improved after one month, resulting in smaller particle sizes. Moreover, the chewing rates for the both test foods were also increased (P ⟨ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the compensating curves did not have an impact on the masticatory function of subjects wearing complete dentures.

Are maternal serum subfatin levels altered in women with one abnormal glucose tolerance test value?

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Subfatin, a newly discovered adipokine, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal dyslipidemia is well-documented. AIMS: This study aims to assess serum subfatin levels and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in women with one abnormal glucose tolerance test value and those with gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In this case-control study, 105 pregnant women were categorized into three groups: women with normal 3-h oral glucose tolerance test results (n=35), women with one abnormal 3-h oral glucose tolerance test result (n=35), and women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (n=35). Serum subfatin levels were measured using human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Serum subfatin levels were significantly lower in the gestational diabetes mellitus group (0.94±0.15 ng/mL) compared to the normal oral glucose tolerance test group (1.48±0.55 ng/mL) and the group with one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test result (1.50±0.59 ng/mL). The triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was also lower in the healthy control group than in the gestational diabetes mellitus and one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test result groups. CONCLUSION: Serum subfatin levels in women with one abnormal abnormal glucose tolerance test value are compared to those in the control group, while the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is significantly altered in women with one abnormal abnormal glucose tolerance test value when compared to the control group.

Effect of subchorionic hematoma on first-trimester maternal serum free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of the presence of subchorionic hematoma (SH) in early pregnancies with threatened miscarriage (TM) on levels of first-trimester maternal serum markers, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels. Methods The data of TM cases with SH in the first trimester between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. The data of age and gestational age-matched TM cases without SH were also assessed to constitute a control group. Demographic characteristics, obstetric histories, ultrasonographic findings, and free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels of the groups were compared. Results There were 119 cases in the study group and 153 cases in the control group. The median vertical and longitudinal lengths of the SH were 31 mm and 16 mm. The median age of both groups was similar (p=0.422). The MoM value of PAPP-A was 0.088 (.93) in the study group and 0.9 (0.63) in the control group (p=0.519). Similarly, the MoM value of free β-hCG was 1.04 (0.78) in the study group and 0.99 (0.86) in the control group (p=0.66). No significant relationship was found in the multivariate analysis between free β-hCG MoM, PAPP-A MoM, age, gravida, and vertical and longitudinal lengths of the hematoma (p>0.05). Conclusion The level of PAPP-A and free β-hCG were not affected by the SH. Therefore, these markers can be used reliably in TM cases with SH for the first-trimester fetal aneuploidy screening test.

Prediction of Rupture by Complete Blood Count in Tubal Ectopic Pregnancies Treated with a Single-Dose Methotrexate Protocol / Predição de ruptura por hemograma completo em gestações ectópicas tubárias tratadas com protocolo de dose única de metotrexato

Abstract Objective The availability of reliable and inexpensive markers that can be used to determine the risk of rupture during methotrexate (MTX) treatment in ectopic pregnancies (EPs) is considerable. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of systemic inflammatory markers such as leukocytes (or white blood cells, WBCs), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet distribution width (PDW), which are among the parameters of the complete blood count (CBC), in the prediction of rupture of EPs under MTX treatment. Materials and Methods A total of 161 patients with tubal EP who underwent a single-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocol were retrospectively analyzed, and the control group (n = 83) included patients cured by MTX, while the ruptured group (n = 78) included patients who were operated on for tubal rupture during the MTX treatment. The features of EP, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels, sonographic findings, and CBC-derived markers such as WBC, NLR, and PDW, were investigated by comparing both groups. Results The NLR was found to be higher in the ruptured group, of 2.92 ± 0.86%, and significantly lower in the control group, of 2.09 ± 0.6%. Similarly, the PDW was higher (51 ± 9%) in the ruptured group, and it was significantly lower a (47 ± 13%) in the control group (p < 0.05). Other CBC parameters were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Systemic inflammation markers derived from CBC can be easily applied to predict the risk of tubal rupture in Eps, since the CBC is an inexpensive and easy-to-apply test, which is first requested from each patient during hospitalization.

Resumo Objetivo A disponibilidade de marcadores confiáveis e baratos que podem ser usados para determinar o risco de ruptura durante o tratamento com metotrexato (MTX) em gestações ectópicas (GEs) é considerável. O objetivo do presente estudo é investigar o papel de marcadores inflamatórios sistêmicos, como leucócitos (ou glóbulos brancos, glóbulos brancos), a relação neutrófilo-linfócito (NLR) e largura de distribuição de plaquetas (PDW), que estão entre os parâmetros do hemograma completo (hemograma), na predição de ruptura de PEs sob tratamento com MTX. Materiais e Métodos Foram analisados retrospectivamente 161 pacientes com EP tubária submetidas a protocolo de dose única de metotrexato (MTX), sendo que o grupo controle (n = 83) incluiu pacientes curadas com MTX, enquanto o grupo roto (n = 78) incluíram pacientes operadas por ruptura tubária durante o tratamento com MTX. As características de EP, beta-gonadotrofina coriônica humana (β-hCG), achados ultrassonográficos e marcadores derivados de CBC, como WBC, NLR e PDW, foram investigados comparando os dois grupos. Resultados A RNL foi maior no grupo roto, de 2,92 ± 0,86%, e significativamente menor no grupo controle, de 2,09 ± 0,6%. Da mesma forma, o PDW foi maior (51 ± 9%) no grupo roto, e foi significativamente menor a (47 ± 13%) no grupo controle (p < 0,05). Outros parâmetros do hemograma foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos (p > 0,05). Conclusão Marcadores inflamatórios sistêmicos derivados do hemograma podem ser facilmente aplicados para predizer o risco de ruptura tubária na Eps, uma vez que o hemograma é um exame de baixo custo e fácil aplicação, solicitado primeiramente a cada paciente durante a internação.

Spermatogenesis in Nesotriatoma bruneri (Usinger 1944) (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

The Nesotriatoma genus consists of the species N. flavida N. bruneri and N. obscura, forming the Flavida complex. Variation in the size and morphological differences intraspecific of N. flavida led to the description of N. bruneri. Two years later, the same author proposed the synonymization of N. bruneri with N. flavida. Only in 1981 the specific status N. bruneri was recovered by means of morphological analysis of the genitalia. However, recently by genetic analysis, it was suggested that N. bruneri and N. flavida should be again synonymized. As Chagas disease has no cure, the main way to minimize the incidence of this disease is by vector control. Thus, grouping biological data from these hematophagous insects can assist in the development of vector control programs and mainly assist in taxonomic issues of synonymization. Thus, this paper describes spermatogenesis of N. bruneri. Three adult N. bruneri males were cytogenetically analyzed. The meiotic behavior observed for N. bruneri was very similar to that observed for the triatomine species with 23 chromosomes: during prophase, chromatin compaction was observed, the chromocenter composition was characterized (X1, X2 and Y), and the species karyotype was confirmed as 2n = 23 (20A + X1X2Y), as it was observed for N. flavida. Moreover, it was possible to observe anaphase and telophase. Thus, this study describes reproductive aspects of N. bruneri in order to contribute to the biological knowledge of these insects of epidemiological importance. Furthermore, this corroborates the synonymization of N. bruneri with N. flavida.

Diploid chromosome set of kissing bug Triatoma baratai (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

Triatomines are insects that are taxonomically included in the Hemiptera order and Triatominae subfamily. Based on phenotypic similarity, capacity hybridization, and genetic and ecological aspects, the triatomine species can be grouped into specific complexes and subcomplexes. However, these groupings have not been confirmed. Cytogenetic analyses are important cytotaxonomic tools for improving the taxonomic knowledge of triatomines. Thus, we examined the karyotype of Triatoma baratai and compared the results with those of other species in the Matogrossensis subcomplex in order increase the understanding of vector potential. We also examined the cytotaxonomic classification of this insect. Triatoma baratai, similarly to other species that currently compose the Matogrossensis subcomplex, contains 22 chromosomes (20A + XY). Here, we describe the diploid chromosome set of T. baratai. We confirmed their current classification in the Matogrossensis subcomplex and demonstrated that the species in this subcomplex present karyotype homogeneity.