Repairing ditched amalgam restorations is less time and tooth structure-consuming than replacement.

AIM: To evaluate the dental structure loss associated with procedures of replacement or maintenance for ditched amalgam restorations in primary molars and the time required to perform each treatment. METHODS: Ditched amalgam restorations (n = 40) were submitted to four different strategies: polishing group-polishing and finishing of restorations; amalgam group-replacement of ditched amalgam restorations with new amalgam restorations; resin group-replacement of amalgam restorations with resin composite restorations; flowable resin group-filling the ditch with a flowable resin composite. The teeth were analysed with a stereomicroscope and the areas pre- and post-treatment were determined by image analysis software to evaluate structural loss. The time required to perform each treatment was recorded in seconds. STATISTICS: Student's t test was used to compare areas pre- and post-treatments. ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests (p < 0.05) were used to compare differences among groups and the time to perform each procedure. RESULTS: Dental structure loss was observed in resin and amalgam groups. Replacing the restorations with amalgam took more time, while polishing and applying flowable resin composite consumed less than half of the time compared with amalgam and resin groups. CONCLUSION: Maintenance of ditched amalgam restorations by polishing and sealing preserves dental structure and involves less time compared with that for replacement of restorations.

Paediatric dentistry education of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in Brazilian dental schools.

AIM: To evaluate the degree of knowledge, use and teaching of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) of paediatric dentistry lecturers in dental schools throughout Brazil. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was applied, containing questions regarding the use of ART, socio-demographic characteristics and academic degree background. Descriptive analysis and Poisson's regression were conducted in order to verify the association between exploratory variables and ART teaching (α=5%). RESULTS: Of the 721 questionnaires sent to dental schools, approximately 40% were returned (n=285). Some 98.2% of the participants teach ART. STATISTICS: Concerning dental lecturers who teach ART, in multiple regression model, considering ART indication (emergency versus restorative treatment) the lecturers residents of the Mid-West (PR=1.66; CI:1.13-2.45) and Northeast region (PR=1.33; CI:1.02-1.72) and lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=3.73; CI:2.11-5.59) teach ART as restorative treatment. When the question was about reason for using ART (conservative technique versus other techniques failures/fast treatment), lecturers with a longer period of TG (time elapsed since graduation) (PR=1.30; CI:1.08- 1.56) and also lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=2.87; CI:1.95-4.22), teach it as being a conservative technique. Regarding the patients' age covered by ART (versus without limitation), women (PR=1.26; CI:1.06-1.50) and lecturers who use ART regularly (PR=1.28; CI:1.06-1.54), teach that there is no age restriction. CONCLUSIONS: ART has been widely taught in Brazilian dental schools, is regularly used in lecturer's clinical practices and has positively influenced the appropriate teaching of this technique.

Efficiency of different polyacrylic acid concentrations on the smear layer, after ART technique, by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

AIM: To assess the efficiency of different polyacrylic acid concentrations on the removal of the smear layer after caries removal with hand and rotary instruments in affected dentine of primary teeth. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro study. METHODS: Six exfoliated primary molars with carious lesions were divided into two groups for caries removal: (1) hand instrument or (2) low speed bur. Each tooth was cut into four pieces. One piece assigned as control surface and the other three surfaces were actively treated with either 40% Fuji IXGP Liquid (GC America), or 40% Fuji IXGP Liquid diluted with water, and 25% Ketac Molar(TM) Conditioner (3M-ESPE). Surfaces were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All images were submitted to an analysis by an experienced SEM professional, regarding presence or absence of smear layer and dentinal demineralization pattern. Chi-squared test was carried out (5% significance). RESULTS: There was no difference concerning the presence of a smear layer in relation to the method of caries removal, and 40% Fuji IXGP diluted with water causes a higher demineralization when compared with the control group of teeth (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Treatments with polyacrylic acid are indicated prior to glass ionomer cement application in primary teeth.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma gondii e anti-leptospira spp. em suínos abatidos em três abatedouros dos estados de minas gerais e são paulo

ABSTRACT Many seroepidemiological inquiries of toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis in swine have been realized in many Brazilian states, demonstrating the importance of these diseases for swine farming, as well as the potential of this swine species as a source of infection of these diseases for man. This study aimed to establish the occurrence of antibodies anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Leptospira spp. in swine slaughtered in 3 slaughterhouses, located in Minas Gerais and São Paulo states, Brazil. Two hundred sixty-two blood samples were collected from slaughtered swine, from 16 cities, and the sera samples were submitted to the modified agglutination test, to investigate antiT. gondii antibodies, and to the microscopic agglutination test, to investigate anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. No sample was positive for T. gondii, and 2 samples reacted to Leptospira interrogans, serovar Pyrogenes (titer 100). These low occurrences of antibodies in the studied swine, for the Leptospiratest, could be due the use of the system of total confinement, allied to the hygienic-sanitary swine management and the slaughtered animals short length of stay at the farms.

RESUMO Diversos inquéritos soroepidemiológicos a respeito da toxoplasmose e leptospirose em suínos foram realizados em diferentes estados brasileiros, demonstrando a importância destas enfermidades para a suinocultura, bem como o potencial da espécie suína como fonte de infecção destas enfermidades para o homem. Este trabalho objetivou estabelecer as ocorrências de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Leptospira spp. em suínos abatidos em três abatedouros, situados nos Estados de Minas Gerais e São Paulo. Foram colhidas 262 amostras de sangue de suínos terminados, provenientes de 16 municípios. Os soros foram submetidos ao método de Aglutinação Direta Modificada (MAD) para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T. gondii, e à Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), para anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva para T. gondii e duas amostras reagiram para Leptospira interrogans, sorovar Pyrogenes (título 100). Os resultados devem ser em função do emprego do sistema de confinamento total, aliado ao manejo higiênico-sanitário na atividade suinícola e pelo pequeno período de permanência dos animais terminados nas granjas.

Impact of leishmaniasis on public health

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania transmitted by insects known as phlebotomines, which are found in wild or urban environments. It affects domestic and wild animals and transmission to man happens by accident. The disease occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas, mainly in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. There are two forms that affect man: American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) and American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). The latter is caused by three species of Leishmania: Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani, Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum, and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, which are grouped in the Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani complex. Wild reservoir hosts of L. chagasi known so far are foxes and marsupials. In domestic environment, dogs are the most important reservoir hosts and sources of infection to the vectors Lutzomyia longipalpis. Leishmaniasis is difficult to control, causing epidemic outbreaks, thus being an important public health problem. Due to lesions caused by the mucocutaneous type and the severity of those caused by the visceral type in humans, visceral leishmaniasis is one of the main public health concerns. This paper is part of the monograph presented at the end of the residency program in the field of Zoonosis and Public Health at the School of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2005.