Knowledge and practice of dentists in processing polishing points: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Adequately processing polishing points used to polish composite resin restorations is necessary for microbiological control in dentistry, but there is no specific protocol to guide professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of dentists in processing these instruments. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included the application of an online questionnaire via Google Forms and social media promotion. The study evaluated the association of field of activity, time since graduation, age, and sex of professionals with processing practice. The statistical analysis was performed with absolute and relative frequencies and logistic and Poisson regressions at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Overall, 473 questionnaires were analyzed. A rate of 51% of professionals reported using inadequate processing methods, and almost 68% claimed to have good knowledge of the topic. Both regression analyses were significantly associated, showing a direct effect of age and time since graduation on adequate processing practices. CONCLUSIONS: Although most professionals reported understanding the processing of polishing points, they do not perform it most adequately. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An expressive number of dentists process polishing points improperly. The topic is significant for representing a semi-critical instrument extensively used in esthetic restorations.

Biological and Enzymatic Characterization of Proteases from Crude Venom of the Ant Odontomachus bauri.

Hymenoptera venoms constitute an interesting source of natural toxins that may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents. The present study investigated the enzymatic and biological characteristics of the crude venom of the ant Odontomachus bauri. Its crude venom presents several protein bands, with higher staining for six proteins with gelatinolytic activity (17, 20, 26, 29, 43 and 48 kDa). The crude venom showed high proteolytic activity on azocasein at optimal pH 8.0 and 37 °C. In the presence of protease inhibitors as aprotinin, leupeptin and EDTA, the azocaseinolytic activity was reduced by 45%, 29% and 9%, respectively, suggesting that the enzymes present in the crude venom belong to the three classes of proteases, with the serine proteases in greater intensity. The crude venom degraded the fibrinogen α-chain faster than the ß-chain, while the fibrinogen γ-chain remained unchanged. In biological assays, O. bauri venom showed hemolytic and coagulant activity in vitro, and defibrinating activity in vivo. In addition, the venom showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as well as antiparasitic activity on Toxoplasma gondii infection in vitro. In that sense, this study sheds perspectives for pharmacological applications of O. bauri venom enzymes.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection: risk factors and clinical outcome in non-intensive-care units.

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is spread out in hospitals across different regions of the world and is regarded as the major agent of nosocomial infections, causing infections such as skin and soft tissue pneumonia and sepsis. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI) and the predictive factors for death. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of fifty-one patients presenting bacteraemia due to S. aureus between September 2006 and September 2008 was analysed. Staphylococcu aureus samples were obtained from blood cultures performed by clinical hospital microbiology laboratory from the Uberlândia Federal University. Methicillinresistance was determined by growth on oxacillin screen agar and antimicrobial susceptibility by means of the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: We found similar numbers of MRSA (56.8%) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (43.2%) infections, and the overall hospital mortality ratio was 47%, predominantly in MRSA group (70.8% vs. 29.2%) (p=0.05). Age (p=0.02) was significantly higher in MRSA patients as also was the use of central venous catheter (p=0.02). The use of two or more antimicrobial agents (p=0.03) and the length of hospital stay prior to bacteraemia superior to seven days (p=0.006) were associated with mortality. High odds ratio value was observed in cardiopathy as comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several risk factors associated with MRSA and MSSA infection, the use of two or more antimicrobial agents was the unique independent variable associated with mortality.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection: risk factors and clinical outcome in non-intensive-care units / Infecção de corrente sanguínea por Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina: fatores de risco e evolução clínica em unidades não críticas

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is spread out in hospitals across different regions of the world and is regarded as the major agent of nosocomial infections, causing infections such as skin and soft tissue pneumonia and sepsis. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI) and the predictive factors for death. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of fifty-one patients presenting bacteraemia due to S. aureus between September 2006 and September 2008 was analysed. Staphylococcu aureus samples were obtained from blood cultures performed by clinical hospital microbiology laboratory from the Uberlândia Federal University. Methicillinresistance was determined by growth on oxacillin screen agar and antimicrobial susceptibility by means of the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: We found similar numbers of MRSA (56.8%) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (43.2%) infections, and the overall hospital mortality ratio was 47%, predominantly in MRSA group (70.8% vs. 29.2%) (p=0.05). Age (p=0.02) was significantly higher in MRSA patients as also was the use of central venous catheter (p=0.02). The use of two or more antimicrobial agents (p=0.03) and the length of hospital stay prior to bacteraemia superior to seven days (p=0.006) were associated with mortality. High odds ratio value was observed in cardiopathy as comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several risk factors associated with MRSA and MSSA infection, the use of two or more antimicrobial agents was the unique independent variable associated with mortality.

INTRODUÇÃO: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), se disseminou nos hospitais em diferentes regiões do globo, e é atualmente o principal agente de infecções hospitalares causando infecções de pele, tecidos moles, pneumonia e sepse. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar fatores de risco para resistência à meticilina em infecções de corrente sanguínea por Staphylococcus aureus e fatores preditivos de mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Uma coorte de 51 pacientes apresentando bacteremia por S. aureus, entre setembro de 2006 a setembro de 2008 foi analisada. Amostras de S. aureus foram obtidas a partir de hemoculturas realizadas pelo laboratório de microbiologia do hospital de clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. A resistência à meticilina foi determinada pelo crescimento no agar triagem para oxacilina e a sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos pelo método de difusão em agar. RESULTADOS: Infecções por MRSA (56,8%) e methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (43,2%) foram similares e a taxa de mortalidade hospitalar foi de 47%, predominantemente no grupo infectado por MRSA (70,8% vs. 29,2%) (p=0,05). Idade (p=0,02) e a presença de cateter vascular central (p=0,02) foram significantes no grupo de infectados por MRSA. A evolução demonstrou que o uso de dois ou mais agentes antimicrobianos (p=0,03) e tempo de internação prévio à bacteremia superior a sete dias (p=0,006) foram associados à morte. Altos valores de odds ratio foram observados para cardiopatia como comorbidade. CONCLUSÕES: Embora vários fatores de risco tenham sido associados a infecções por MRSA e MSSA e mortalidade o uso de dois ou mais agentes antimicrobianos foi a única variável independente para mortalidade.