Surgical management of Chiari II malformation: a systematic review of literature.

PURPOSE: Chiari II malformation (CM-II) is a congenital malformation of the posterior fossa associated with myelomeningocele. Of the symptomatic patients, 10-33% require surgical treatment. To this date, there is not a consensus about the best surgical technique, and whether to do duroplasty. METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed database and crossed references was performed, per PRISMA guidelines. Data regarding demographic features, extent of cervicomedullary deformity, clinical presentation, surgical techniques, and clinical outcomes were extracted. Pearson's chi-squared test was applied. The p-values under 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty studies (N = 330) were analyzed. C3 and C4 levels represented 56.4% of the lowest tonsil displacement. The most reported symptom was dysphagia/swallowing dysfunction (53.8%). Suboccipital craniectomy (SOC) and cervical spine expansion (CSE) with duroplasty were the most reported technique. Dural augmentation was performed in 57.4% of the patients. After surgery, 59.6% observed an improvement in symptoms and quality of life, 12.5% were unchanged, and 27.8% had a worsened clinical status. The mortality rate was 2.5% during the first month after surgery, and 17.4% at the last follow-up evaluation. Patients who underwent CSE presented a better clinical outcome (p = 0.002). The SOC procedure could not be correlated with symptom improvement (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: CM-II is associated with high morbidity and mortality. An early onset symptomatic CM-II demands intervention, which provided an improvement of outcome in most patients included in this review. The best surgical technique and the exact effect of the surgical management of CM-II on mortality are not yet clear.

Elaboração e avaliação de um instrumento de qualidade de vida para avaliar mucosite oral em pacientes oncológicos / Development and evaluation of a quality of life instrument to evaluate oral mucositis in cancer patients

Introdução: Mucosite oral é um efeito colateral dos tratamentos oncológicos, caracterizado por lesões orais que vão de eritema a úlceras que podem causar dor intensa e restrição de dieta. É conhecida como condição limitante e de grande impacto na qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo: Elaborar um novo instrumento para avaliar a QV relacionada à mucosite oral. Material e método: Pesquisa através de métodos mistos, iniciando com entrevistas qualitativas analisadas pelo método de Bardin e método Reinert, com o programa IRAMUTEQ, seguido do método Delphi com quatro rodas de entrevistas e discussões com especialistas. A primeira versão do instrumento passou por um pré-teste com 10 pacientes, com análise quantitativa e qualitativa, seguido de outra rodada de especialistas. Resultados: O material das entrevistas qualitativas apontou os termos dor e alimentação como centrais na experiência de mucosite oral, além de fornecerem várias palavras-chave para definição dos constructos. Baseado nesse material e na literatura, 4 especialistas formularam 34 perguntas enviadas para outros 10 especialistas de diferentes regiões e instituições brasileiras que analisaram a clareza, ortografia e necessidade de cada pergunta para o questionário. As alterações pertinentes foram realizadas, revisadas e novamente discutidas. A primeira versão foi apresentada a 10 pacientes que não participaram das entrevistas qualitativas e responderam o grau de entendimento e necessidade de cada pergunta. A análise final do pré-teste reformulou alguns tempos verbais e palavras de difícil compreensão, dando forma a versão final do instrumento. Discussão: Embora existam bons instrumentos para mensurar QV e mucosite oral, apresentamos novas questões sobre impactos financeiros, interrupção de tratamento, alteração de saliva, perda de peso relacionada diretamente com a mucosite oral e aspectos psicossociais. Conclusão: Foi elaborado um novo instrumento para mensurar os impactos mucosite oral em pacientes oncológicos.

The role of captopril in leukotriene deficient type 1 diabetic mice.

T1D can be associated with metabolic disorders and several impaired pathways, including insulin signaling, and development of insulin resistance through the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The main precursor of RAS is angiotensinogen (Agt) and this system is often linked to autophagy dysregulation. Dysregulated autophagy has been described in T1D and linked to impairments in both glucose metabolism, and leukotrienes (LTs) production. Here, we have investigated the role of RAS and LTs in both muscle and liver from T1D mice, and its effects on insulin and autophagy pathways. We have chemically induced T1D in 129sve and 129sve 5LO-/- mice (lacking LTs) with streptozotocin (STZ). To further inhibit ACE activity, mice were treated with captopril (Cap). In muscle of T1D mice, treatment with Cap increased the expression of RAS (angiotensinogen and angiotensin II receptor), insulin signaling, and autophagy markers, regardless of the genotype. In the liver of T1D mice, the treatment with Cap increased the expression of RAS and insulin signaling markers, mostly when LTs were absent. 5LO-/- T1D mice showed increased insulin sensitivity, and decreased NEFA, after the Cap treatment. Cap treatment impacted both insulin signaling and autophagy pathways at the mRNA levels in muscle and liver, indicating the potential role of ACE inhibition on insulin sensitivity and autophagy in T1D.

COVID-19-related hyperglycemia is associated with infection of hepatocytes and stimulation of gluconeogenesis.

Occurrence of hyperglycemia upon infection is associated with worse clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. However, it is still unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 directly triggers hyperglycemia. Herein, we interrogated whether and how SARS-CoV-2 causes hyperglycemia by infecting hepatocytes and increasing glucose production. We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients that were admitted at a hospital with suspicion of COVID-19. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the chart records and daily blood glucose values were analyzed to test the hypothesis on whether COVID-19 was independently associated with hyperglycemia. Blood glucose was collected from a subgroup of nondiabetic patients to assess pancreatic hormones. Postmortem liver biopsies were collected to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and its transporters in hepatocytes. In human hepatocytes, we studied the mechanistic bases of SARS-CoV-2 entrance and its gluconeogenic effect. SARS-CoV-2 infection was independently associated with hyperglycemia, regardless of diabetic history and beta cell function. We detected replicating viruses in human hepatocytes from postmortem liver biopsies and in primary hepatocytes. We found that SARS-CoV-2 variants infected human hepatocytes in vitro with different susceptibility. SARS-CoV-2 infection in hepatocytes yields the release of new infectious viral particles, though not causing cell damage. We showed that infected hepatocytes increase glucose production and this is associated with induction of PEPCK activity. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 entry in hepatocytes occurs partially through ACE2- and GRP78-dependent mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in hepatocytes and exerts a PEPCK-dependent gluconeogenic effect in these cells that potentially is a key cause of hyperglycemia in infected patients.

Correlação entre tempo sentado e comprometimento motor de membros inferiores em pacientes pós-AVC: um estudo transversal / Correlation between sitting time and lower limb motor impairment in post-stroke patients: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUÇÃO: As deficiências físicas ocasionadas pelo Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) podem estimular os pacientes a manterem um baixo condicionamento físico e a se tornarem cada vez mais sedentários. O comportamento sedentário tem efeitos prejudiciais à saúde, incluindo um maior risco de incidência de doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Verificar se existe correlação entre o tempo sentado e o comprometimento motor de membros inferiores em pacientes pós-AVC. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo observacional, de caráter transversal, onde foram analisados pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de AVC na fase crônica, de ambos os sexos. O tempo sentado foi analisado por meio da seção 5 do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) e a função motora por meio da Escala de Fugl-Meyer - subseção de membros inferiores. Os participantes foram avaliados em uma única sessão, com duração média de 1 hora. RESULTADOS: A correlação pelo coeficiente ρ de Spearman entre a Escala Fugl-Meyer- subseção de membros inferiores (MMII) e IPAQ-tempo sentado durante a semana foi de r= -0,639 (p=0,008) e IPAQ-tempo sentado durante final de semana foi de r= -0,603 (p=0,013). Os pacientes passam 11,59 horas/dia durante a semana e 12,15 horas/dia durante o final de semana na posição sentada. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostram uma relação negativa entre as variáveis estudadas, sugerindo que quanto maior o comprometimento motor dos MMII, maior será a média de tempo sentado do indivíduo após AVC.

INTRODUCTION: The physical deficiencies caused by stroke can encourage patients to maintain a low physical condition and become increasingly sedentary. Sedentary behavior has harmful health effects, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether there is a relationship between daily sitting time and lower limb motor impairment in post-stroke patients. METHODS: This is an observational, cross-sectional study, in patients with clinical diagnosis of stroke in the chronic phase, of both genders. Sitting time was analyzed using the 5th section of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the motor function using the Fugl-Meyer Scale - lower limbs (LL) subsection. Participants were evaluated in a single session, with an average duration of 1 hour. RESULTS: The correlation by Spearman's ρ coefficient between the FuglMeyer Scale subsection for lower limbs and IPAQ weekdays sitting time was -0.639 (p=0.008) and IPAQ weekend days sitting time -0.603* (p= 0.013). Patients spend 11.59 hours/ day on weekdays and 12.15 hours/day on weekends in the sitting position. CONCLUSION: The results show a negative relationship between the variables studied, suggesting that the greater the lower limb motor impairment, the greater the average sitting time of the individual after the stroke.

Dialogando com lacan para uma compreensão da estrutura das psicoses / A dialogue with lacan to understand the structure of psychoses

O trabalho realizado e que vai aqui apresentado consiste em uma apresentação do percurso empreendido por Jacques Lacan ([1955-56] 1988) no Seminário sobre As Psicoses. A proposta de chamar o nosso percurso de "diálogos" baseia-se na leitura de outros textos e notícias que reportam ao tema, ajudando-nos a melhor compreendê-lo. Não é um percurso simples e tampouco óbvio. A escrita de Lacan, ou mesmo a estrutura psicótica, abre continuamente outras portas pelas quais pode o observador perscrutar, embora não lhe seja permitido adentrar com suas ansiosas pretensões interpretativas, plenas de significantes simbólicos. Contente-se, pois, o clínico, com a função de secretário do delírio, compreendendo-o não simplesmente como uma defesa, mas como uma outra forma de se organizar diante de um outro ­ imagem de si e que rejeita habitar o complexo mundo da linguagem.

The work carried out and which will be presented here consists of a presentation of the journey undertaken by Jacques Lacan ([1955-56] 1988) at the Seminar on The Psychoses. The proposal to call our journey "dialogues" is based on reading other texts and news that report on the topic, helping us to better understand it. It is not a simple or obvious route. Lacan's writing, or even the psychotic structure, continually opens other doors through which the observer can peer, although he is not allowed to enter with his anxious interpretative pretensions, full of symbolic signifiers. Therefore, the clinician is content, with the role of secretary of the delusion, understanding it not simply as a defense, but as another way of organizing himself in front of another - an image of himself that rejects inhabiting the complex world of language.

Consequences of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on the increase in perceived pain of students and professors from higher education institutions: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Social distancing was implemented worldwide due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This impacted physical activity levels and increased the time spent in sedentary behaviors which may contributed to the emergence of increased musculoskeletal complaints. OBJECTIVE: To assess the consequences of social distancing for the increase in perceived pain of students and professors from higher education institutions. METHODS: One thousand two hundred and fifty-four participants responded to an online survey containing sociodemographic information and questions related to daily habits, physical activity profile, and musculoskeletal pain before and during the pandemic. Levels of concentration, nervousness, productivity, and visual fatigue were also assessed. The primary outcome was presence of perceived pain before and during the pandemic, dichotomized between those with and without increased pain during the pandemic. RESULTS: Perceived pain increased during the pandemic (p < 0.001) and was associated with females (p = 0.023; PR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.02-1.32), income up to one minimum wage (p = 0.039; PR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.01-1.42), no physical activity practice (p = 0.006; PR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.06-1.40), long time in sedentary behavior (p = 0.013; PR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.27-7.43), and electronic device usage for > 6 hours (p = 0.041; PR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.02-2.06). Nervousness (p = 0.001) and visual fatigue (p = 0.001) increased, whereas concentration (p = 0.001) and productivity (p = 0.001) reduced during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced physical activity practice and increased time in sedentary behavior and electronic device usage during the pandemic were associated with increased musculoskeletal pain in students and professors from higher education institutions. Decreased concentration and productivity and increased nervousness and visual fatigue were also observed during the pandemic.

Brown adipose tissue-derived MaR2 contributes to cold-induced resolution of inflammation.

Obesity induces chronic inflammation resulting in insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. Cold exposure can improve insulin sensitivity in humans and rodents, but the mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we find that cold resolves obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice. The beneficial effects of cold exposure on improving obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance depend on brown adipose tissue (BAT) and liver. Using targeted liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, we discovered that cold and ß3-adrenergic stimulation promote BAT to produce maresin 2 (MaR2), a member of the specialized pro-resolving mediators of bioactive lipids that play a role in the resolution of inflammation. Notably, MaR2 reduces inflammation in obesity in part by targeting macrophages in the liver. Thus, BAT-derived MaR2 could contribute to the beneficial effects of BAT activation in resolving obesity-induced inflammation and may inform therapeutic approaches to combat obesity and its complications.

Reliability of the Theory of Mind Task Battery (ToM TB) to assess social cognition in post-stroke patients.

Theory of mind is the ability to understand, and infer thoughts or mental states to others. This is a central domain of social cognition that can be impaired after brain injury, resulting in changes in social skills and implications for rehabilitation.The aim of this investigation was to analyze the reliability of the Theory of Mind Task Battery (ToM TB) in post-stroke patients.This is a cross-sectional prospective study with psychometric characteristics, involving 38 patients diagnosed with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke assessed by three examiners using the ToM TB scale, translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. Satisfactory levels of interexaminer agreement were found for almost all categories of the ToM TB: Kappa ranged from 0.036 to 1.00, total score (ICC) from 0.958 to 0.999 and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.658 was obtained with the complete instrument.The Brazilian version of the ToM TB in post-stroke patients is a reliable instrument that can be used to assess the theory of mind, prognosis and rehabilitation of post-stroke patients.

Intracranial thrombosis after ventriculoperitoneal shunting.

We report a case of intracranial thrombosis (IT) after ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS). We reviewed the literature to highlight the importance of considering the possibility of cerebral venous thrombosis following VPS, even though it is a rarely reported complication. A 14-year-old boy underwent distal catheter replacement due to its short size that was detected during a routine consultation. Five days postoperatively, he experienced nausea, vomiting, seizures, and headache. Although a diagnosis of meningitis was considered, diagnosis of IT was eventually confirmed through computed tomography venography and gadolinium magnetic angioresonance. The patient subsequently underwent anticoagulant therapy, which led to complete resolution of symptoms. In this report, we suggest a possible association between VPS and IT, which is a complication that is not commonly reported. The literature suggests that decreased blood flow due to over-drainage of CSF after VPS causes decreased head pressure, culminating in venous stasis and consequent thrombosis. In addition, the literature describes associations between IT and lumbar puncture (LP); therefore, it is important to consider the possibility of IT following these procedures.

Elaboração e avaliação de um instrumento de qualidade de vida para avaliar mucosite oral em pacientes oncológicos / Development and evaluation of a quality of life instrument to evaluate oral mucositis in cancer patients

Introdução: Mucosite oral é um efeito colateral dos tratamentos oncológicos, caracterizado por lesões orais que vão de eritema a úlceras que podem causar dor intensa e restrição de dieta. É conhecida como condição limitante e de grande impacto na qualidade de vida (QV). Objetivo: Elaborar um novo instrumento para avaliar a QV relacionada à mucosite oral. Material e método: Pesquisa através de métodos mistos, iniciando com entrevistas qualitativas analisadas pelo método de Bardin e método Reinert, com o programa IRAMUTEQ, seguido do método Delphi com quatro rodas de entrevistas e discussões com especialistas. A primeira versão do instrumento passou por um pré-teste com 10 pacientes, com análise quantitativa e qualitativa, seguido de outra rodada de especialistas. Resultados: O material das entrevistas qualitativas apontou os termos dor e alimentação como centrais na experiência de mucosite oral, além de fornecerem várias palavras-chave para definição dos constructos. Baseado nesse material e na literatura, 4 especialistas formularam 34 perguntas enviadas para outros 10 especialistas de diferentes regiões e instituições brasileiras que analisaram a clareza, ortografia e necessidade de cada pergunta para o questionário. As alterações pertinentes foram realizadas, revisadas e novamente discutidas. A primeira versão foi apresentada a 10 pacientes que não participaram das entrevistas qualitativas e responderam o grau de entendimento e necessidade de cada pergunta. A análise final do pré-teste reformulou alguns tempos verbais e palavras de difícil compreensão, dando forma a versão final do instrumento. Discussão: Embora existam bons instrumentos para mensurar QV e mucosite oral, apresentamos novas questões sobre impactos financeiros, interrupção de tratamento, alteração de saliva, perda de peso relacionada diretamente com a mucosite oral e aspectos psicossociais. Conclusão: Foi elaborado um novo instrumento para mensurar os impactos mucosite oral em pacientes oncológicos.

Group-based constraint-induced movement therapy in the rehabilitation of chronic poststroke patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the effects of a 90-minute group-based constraint-induced movement therapy protocol (CIMT) on upper extremity (UE) rehabilitation in poststroke patients. METHOD: The study was a case series clinical study with 6 patients with chronic stroke admitted to the institutional integrated clinic. Ten 90-minute CIMT sessions were administered, based on the principles of the original therapy. On completion of the protocol, participants underwent group care once a week, for 1 hour a day. For comparison purposes, the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) were applied on admission, shortly after completing the protocol, and 3 months after completion. In addition, the MAL and shaping tasks were applied daily. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference only in the MAL Amount of Use Scale applied daily between the 2nd (3.56) and 9th (3.31) and 2nd and 10th days (4.49) (P = .004), with a moderate effect size (d' = 0.46), and in the average value of shaping repetitions between the 1st (16.10) and 2nd (6.00) and 1st and 10th tasks (7.00) (P = .014), with a moderate effect size (d' = 0.35). CONCLUSION: The 90-minute CIMT protocol resulted in significant improvements in use of the more affected arm in activities of daily living during the 2-week protocol. Additional research with a larger sample and a control group is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Hydrocephalus secondary to dengue encephalitis in an infant: case report.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is the leading cause of mosquito-borne viral infection. It is responsible for high morbidity and mortality in children living in endemic areas. Nowadays, neurological complications are progressively referred to and include a broad spectrum of symptoms. It can be secondary to metabolic alterations, direct invasion by the virus, and enhanced autoimmune response. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a rare case of hydrocephalus secondary to dengue encephalitis. A 13-day-old boy was diagnosed with dengue. He evolved with seizures and impaired consciousness being diagnosed with encephalitis. After clinical treatment, he was discharged fully recovered. Three months later, he presented with signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Brain MRI revealed hydrocephalus secondary to acquired aqueduct stenosis. The patient underwent an endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy. CONCLUSION: Dengue infection is a differential diagnosis for acute febrile neurological impairment in children from endemic areas. Follow-up should be offered after dengue encephalitis to detect possible late-onset complications, as hydrocephalus.

Frequency of awake bruxism behaviour in orthodontic patients: Randomised clinical trial: Awake bruxism behaviour in orthodontic patients.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of aligners on the activity of the masticatory muscles is still controversial, especially regarding the behaviour associated with awake bruxism (AB). OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of AB behaviours between patients treated with aligners and fixed appliances. METHODS: The sample comprised 38 Class I patients (mean age 22.08 years), divided by simple randomisation into two groups: OA group; orthodontic aligners (n 19) and FA group; fixed appliance (n 19). The frequency of AB was investigated by the ecological momentary assessment using an online device (mentimeter), during 7 following days at different timepoints, before and after appliance placement and in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th months of orthodontic treatment. These variables were also evaluated: level of anxiety by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, stress by the Perceived Stress Scale, catastrophising related to pain and degree of hypervigilance by the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire, and the presence of facial pain evaluated by the DC/TMD. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in the frequency of AB behaviours, with mean of 53.5% for group OA and 51.3% for FA. The most frequent behaviour was slightly touching the teeth, and in FA group, there was a significant reduction in this behaviour soon after appliance placement. The groups did not differ concerning the degree of anxiety, stress, catastrophising, hypervigilance and facial pain. CONCLUSION: The orthodontic treatment performed with aligners or fixed appliances did not influence the frequency of AB during the 6 months of treatment. REGISTRY OF CLINICAL TRIALS: (REBEC): RBR-9zytwf.

The influence of text messages and anxiety on pain perception and its impact on orthodontic patients routine.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed at assessing the effects of anxiety and a follow-up text message on pain perception after the installation of fixed orthodontic appliances and its impact on the patients' routine. METHODS: The sample of this study consisted of 103 orthodontic patients, 40 males and 63 females (mean age 20.5 years), distributed in two groups: G1 (n=51), including control patients that did not receive any post-procedure communication; and G2 (n=52), including patients that received a structured text message. In baseline phase, the patients completed a questionnaire to assess their level of anxiety prior to treatment. Pain was assessed by using 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) in baseline and ten times prospectively in predetermined time points. VAS was also applied to assess the patient's routine alterations caused by the pain. All data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey, Mann-Whitney, t-test, chi-square and Spearman's correlation tests. All statistical tests were performed with significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Low-level and high-level anxiety was observed in 42.7% and 7.8% of the patients, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was observed between anxiety and pain (p< 0.05). Maximum mean pain intensity was detected in the second treatment day (G1=36.9mm and G2=26.2mm) and was significantly higher in G1. Nearly 53% of the patients in G1 reported alterations in the routine (18.8mm), while in G2 the percentage rate reached 28.8% (9.9mm) (p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Anxious patients report more pain after the installation of orthodontic appliances. Text messages were effective to reduce pain levels and to decrease the negative effects on patients' daily routine.

Targeting Leukotrienes as a Therapeutic Strategy to Prevent Comorbidities Associated with Metabolic Stress.

Leukotrienes (LTs) are potent lipid mediators that exert a variety of functions, ranging from maintaining the tone of the homeostatic immune response to exerting potent proinflammatory effects. Therefore, LTs are essential elements in the development and maintenance of different chronic diseases, such as asthma, arthritis, and atherosclerosis. Due to the pleiotropic effects of LTs in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, studies are needed to discover potent and specific LT synthesis inhibitors and LT receptor antagonists. Even though most clinical trials using LT inhibitors or antagonists have failed due to low efficacy and/or toxicity, new drug development strategies are driving the discovery for LT inhibitors to prevent inflammatory diseases. A newly important detrimental role for LTs in comorbidities associated with metabolic stress has emerged in the last few years and managing LT production and/or actions could represent an exciting new strategy to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases associated with metabolic disorders. This review is intended to shed light on the synthesis and actions of leukotrienes, the most common drugs used in clinical trials, and discuss the therapeutic potential of preventing LT function in obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.

Association between oral hygiene and head and neck cancer in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Poor oral hygiene, regular use of mouthwash and absence of visits to the dentist could correspond to potential risk factors for the development of head and neck cancer. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether oral hygiene is associated with the occurrence of oral cavity and head and neck cancer in a Brazilian sample. METHOD: The variables of oral hygiene condition, such as toothbrushing frequency, dental loss, need and use of prosthesis, and regular visit to the dentist in a case-control study were analyzed in patients from five hospitals in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, paired by gender and age, from the multicenter project Genoma do Câncer de Cabeça e Pescoço (GENCAPO). RESULTS: The most frequent malignancies in the 899 patients included were those of the tongue border (11.41%) and tongue base (10.92%). The multivariable statistical analysis found odds ratio values: Brushing once 0.33 (95%CI 0.25 - 0.44); Brushing twice 0.42 (95%CI 0.35 - 0.52); Flossing always 0.19 (95%CI 0.13 - 0.27); Flossing sometimes 0.19 (95%CI 0.15 - 0.24); Bleeding 2.40 (95%CI 1.40 - 4.09); Prosthesis 1.99 (95%CI 1.54 - 2.56); Visiting the dentist 0.29 (95%CI 0.22 - 0.37); Good hygiene 0.21 (95%CI 0.17 - 0.27); Regular hygiene 0.20 (95%CI 0.15 - 0.25); number of missing teeth (6 or more) 3.30 (95%CI 2.67 - 4.08). CONCLUSION: These data showed that, in the population studied, indicators of good hygiene such as brushing teeth and flossing were protective factors for mouth and head and neck cancer, while bleeding and many missing teeth were risk factors.

The influence of text messages and anxiety on pain perception and its impact on orthodontic patients routine

ABSTRACT Objective: This prospective study aimed at assessing the effects of anxiety and a follow-up text message on pain perception after the installation of fixed orthodontic appliances and its impact on the patients' routine. Methods: The sample of this study consisted of 103 orthodontic patients, 40 males and 63 females (mean age 20.5 years), distributed in two groups: G1 (n=51), including control patients that did not receive any post-procedure communication; and G2 (n=52), including patients that received a structured text message. In baseline phase, the patients completed a questionnaire to assess their level of anxiety prior to treatment. Pain was assessed by using 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) in baseline and ten times prospectively in predetermined time points. VAS was also applied to assess the patient's routine alterations caused by the pain. All data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey, Mann-Whitney, t-test, chi-square and Spearman's correlation tests. All statistical tests were performed with significance level of 5%. Results: Low-level and high-level anxiety was observed in 42.7% and 7.8% of the patients, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was observed between anxiety and pain (p< 0.05). Maximum mean pain intensity was detected in the second treatment day (G1=36.9mm and G2=26.2mm) and was significantly higher in G1. Nearly 53% of the patients in G1 reported alterations in the routine (18.8mm), while in G2 the percentage rate reached 28.8% (9.9mm) (p=0.013). Conclusions: Anxious patients report more pain after the installation of orthodontic appliances. Text messages were effective to reduce pain levels and to decrease the negative effects on patients' daily routine.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente estudo prospectivo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da ansiedade e de mensagens de texto de acompanhamento na percepção da dor após a instalação de aparelhos ortodônticos fixos e seu impacto na rotina dos pacientes. Métodos: A amostra deste estudo foi composta por 103 pacientes ortodônticos, 40 homens e 63 mulheres (idade média de 20,5 anos), distribuídos em dois grupos: G1 (n = 51), que incluiu pacientes controle, que não receberam comunicação pós-procedimento; e G2 (n = 52), incluindo os pacientes que receberam mensagem de texto estruturada. Na fase inicial, os pacientes responderam a um questionário para avaliar seu nível de ansiedade antes do tratamento. A dor foi avaliada por meio de escala visual analógica (EVA) de 100 mm antes da instalação dos aparelhos e em 10 períodos consecutivos predeterminados. A EVA também foi aplicada para avaliar as alterações de rotina do paciente causadas pela dor. Os resultados foram analisados usando ANOVA, Tukey, Mann-Whitney, teste t, Qui-quadrado e testes de correlação de Spearman. Todos os testes estatísticos foram realizados com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Níveis baixos e altos de ansiedade foram observados em 42,7% e 7,8% dos pacientes, respectivamente. Foi observada correlação estatisticamente significativa entre ansiedade e dor (p< 0,05). A intensidade média máxima da dor foi detectada no segundo dia de tratamento (G1 = 36,9mm e G2 = 26,2mm) e foi significativamente maior no G1. Quase 53% dos pacientes do G1 relataram alterações na rotina (18,8mm), enquanto no G2 o percentual atingiu 28,8% (9,9mm) (p= 0,013). Conclusões: Pacientes ansiosos relatam mais dor após a instalação de aparelhos ortodônticos. As mensagens de texto foram eficazes para reduzir os níveis de dor e diminuir os efeitos negativos na rotina diária dos pacientes.

Neurosurgery Simulators Developed for Neurosurgical Training in Brazil: A Systematic Review

Introduction Simulation in neurosurgery is a growing trend in medical residency programs around the world due to the concerns there are about patient safety and the advancement of surgical technology. Simulation training can improve motor skills in a safe environment before the actual setting is initiated in the operating room. The aim of this review is to identify articles that describe Brazilian simulators, their validation status and the level of evidence (LoE). Methodology This study was conducted using the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A search was performed in the Medline, Scielo, and Cochrane Library databases. The studies were evaluated according to the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument (MERSQI), and the LoE of the study was established according to the classification system of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM), which has been adapted by the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery. Results Of all the studies included in this review, seven referred to validated simulators. These 7 studies were assigned an average MERSQI score of 8.57 from 18 possible points. None of the studies was randomized or conducted in a high-fidelity environment. The best evidence was provided by the studies with the human placenta model, which received a score of 2b and a degree of recommendation of 3. Conclusion Brazilian simulators can be reproduced in the different laboratories that are available in the country. The average MERSQI score of Brazilian studies is similar to the international average score. New studies should be undertaken to seek greater validation of the simulators and carry out randomized controlled trials.

Dental caries in South American Indigenous peoples: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the severity of dental caries in South American Indigenous peoples. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted regarding the severity of dental caries in South American Indigenous peoples using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, SciELO, LILACS and grey literature up to March 2018. Literature search was conducted up to March 2018. No restrictions on language or year of publication were applied. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis of studies were performed to determine mean dmft/DMFT index (decayed, missing and filled teeth) and temporal trends for selected age brackets. RESULTS: The search strategy retrieved 698 studies, of which 70 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 28 were included in the qualitative analysis. Finally, 18 papers were included in the meta-analysis. Publication year ranged from 1964 to 2018. Mean dmft for 5-year-old children was 5.73 (95% CI 4.67-6.79), and mean DMFT for 12-year-olds was 3.14 (95% CI 1.88-4.40). Estimated DMFT for 15-19 years, 35-44 years and 65-74 years was 5.53 (95% CI 2.97-8.09), 19.41 (95% CI 11.88-26.93) and 28.19 (24.83-31.55), respectively. DMFT was higher than that reported in general population surveys in Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela for all age brackets with available data. Heterogeneity was observed in all age brackets, ranging from 79.7 to 99.7%. CONCLUSION: Dental caries remains a significant public health problem for South American Indigenous peoples. Prevention and treatment strategies that consider cultural specificities are needed.