Evaluación de la maloclusión, alteraciones funcionales y hábitos orales en una población escolar: Tarragona y Barcelona / Evaluation of malocclusion, functional and oral habits alteration in a school student population: Tarragona and Barcelona

Fundamento: La etiología de la maloclusión puede ser multifactorial y difícil de clasificar durante el desarrollo del individuo. Los objetivos del estudio son conocer las características de la maloclusión y su posible relación con las alteraciones funcionales y los hábitos orales. Métodos: Se estudió a 1.270 individuos representativos de la población escolar de Cataluña; 596 niños y 674 niñas de entre 6 y 14 años. Se obtuvo información mediante registros clínicos y cuestionarios. Se trata de un estudio observacional descriptivo mixto transversal, llevado a cabo entre 2006 y 2007 a través de un muestreo no probabilística de conveniencia. Se ha realizado el calibrado de los examinadores. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 1051 escolares con una edad media de 9,32 años. El 72,8% presenta según Angle Clase I, 19,0% y 5,2% Clase II/1 y II/2 respectivamente y 2,9% Clase III. El hábito onicofagia fue el más frecuente con un 46,4%. El mayor nivel de limitación funcional fue la hipertrofia amigdalar con un 21,2%.Existe relación estadísticamente significativa entre maloclusión sagital y tipo de respiración y movilidad lingual y entre maloclusión horizontal y tiempo de succión digital y movilidad lingual (p<0,05). Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de alteraciones funcionales y de hábitos orales puede advertir de la presencia de maloclusión (AU)

Background: Etiology of malocclusion may be multifactor and difficult to classify during the development of the individual. The aim of this study is to identify the malocclusion characteristics in a school student population and find the possible relation with functional and oral habit alteration. Material and method: 1270 individuals representative of the school population of Catalonia were studied: 596boys and 674 girls between 6 and 14 years. Information was obtained through medical records and questionnaires. A mixed observational-descriptive transversal study has been done in the period between 2006 and 2007 that was selected by a non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Interexamination calibration was performed. Results: 1051 school children were included in the study with a mean age of 9.32 years. 72.8% presented as Angle Class I, 19.0% and 5.2% Class II / 1 and II / 2, respectively and 2.9% Class III. Nail biting habit was the most frequent habit with 46.4%. The highest level of functional limitation was tonsils hypertrophy with 21.2%.There is a statically significant relationship between sagittal malocclusion and respiration type and tongue mobility, and between horizontal malocclusion and digital suction and tongue mobility (p<0.05). Conclusions: The diagnosis of functional disorders and oral habits can be a warning of the presence of malocclusion (AU)

Spectrographic measures of the speech of young children with cleft lip and cleft palate.

Twenty-two consecutive children with repaired cleft lip and/or palate [isolated cleft lip (CL) 6, isolated cleft palate (CP) 7, unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) 7, and bilateral cleft lip and palate 2] with a mean age of 27 months underwent spectrographic measures of tape-recorded speech (DSP Sona-Graph digital unit). Controls were 22 age- and sex-matched noncleft children. Data analyzed included (1) the Spanish vocalic variables [a, i, u, e, o]: first formant, second formant, duration, and context; (2) obstruent variables [p, t, k]: burst, voice onset time, and duration, and (3) nasal variables [m]: first formant, second formant, and duration. Statistically significant differences were observed between the CL group and the control group in the first formant of [e] and in the increase of the frequency of the [t] burst. Comparison between UCLP and controls showed differences in the second formant of [a], in the first formant of [o], and in the second formant of [o]. These results suggest a small but significant influence of either the cleft lip or its repair on lip rounding for [o] and [u]. In addition, tongue position differences were most likely responsible for the differences seen with [a] and [e]. Spectrographic differences in the current patients did not contribute to meaningful differences in speech sound development. Individualized care (orthodontics, surgery, speech therapy) in children with cleft lip and/or palate attended at specialized craniofacial units contributes to normalization of speech development.

The effect of sterilization on bending and torsional properties of K-files manufactured with different metallic alloys.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of dry-heat or autoclave sterilization on the resistance to fracture in torque and angular deflection and the resistance to bending of K-type files made of nickel-titanium (Nitiflex, Naviflex), titanium (Microtitane) or stainless steel (Flexofile, Flex-R). Ten K-type files of each sort, from size 25 to 40, were tested, according to ANSI/ADA specification 28 (1988) and ISO specification 3630 (1992). Sterilization with dry heat and autoclave slightly decreased the flexibility of files made of stainless steel and nickel-titanium for most of the sizes, although the values obtained satisfied ISO specifications. The files made of titanium showed an increased flexibility after sterilization with autoclave (sizes 30 and 35) and dry heat (sizes 30, 35 and 40). Resistance to fracture varied amongst the five groups of files tested as follows: it decreased in some sizes of stainless-steel instruments, decreased in all sizes of titanium files assessed by the torsional moment, and either increased or decreased in some sizes of nickel-titanium files. All files tested, however, satisfied relevant standards for angular deflection after being subjected to sterilization with an autoclave or dry heat.

Absorbency properties of different brands of standardized endodontic paper points.

A comparative study of the absorbency properties of different endodontic paper points has been conducted. Twenty standardized absorbent paper points, size 30, from 13 bands (Dentaline, Zipperer, Kerr, Diadent, Roeko novo, Roeko color, Maillefer, P.D., Schein, Spectrapoint, Proclinic, Euronda, and Alpro) of 12 manufacturers were tested. Each dry paper point was weighted using an electronic laboratory balance. A length of 16 mm from the tip was then lowered in distilled water for 5 s, the paper point was weighted again, and the difference between both measurements was taken as the value of the fluid absorbed. Diadent, Kerr, and Dentalite showed significantly higher absorbencies (p < 0.05) than standardized paper points of the remaining brands. The study demonstrates a wide variation in the absorbency properties of this dental accessory.

Examination of craniofacial morphology in 10-month to 5-year-old children with cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess craniofacial growth in children from 10 months to 5 years of age with cleft lip and/or palate and to develop a systematic method of cephalometric measurements. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: Craniofacial unit of a teaching hospital for children. PATIENTS: A consecutive series of the first 22 patients with cleft lip and/or palate who underwent early reconstructive treatment [isolated cleft lip (CL) 6; isolated cleft palate (CP) 7; unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) 7; and bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCLP) 2] (mean age, 27.9 months) and 22 age- and sex-matched noncleft children. INTERVENTIONS: Lateral cephalometric headfilms of the children were taken using a pediatric cephalostat. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cephalometric landmarks were measured according to Ricketts cephalometry. RESULTS: As compared with controls, CL patients had a lingual position and inclination of maxillary and mandibular incisors, an increase of interincisal angle and a decrease of incisor overjet, an increase in facial convexity, and a decrease in facial depth and mandible body length. In CP patients, palatal plane inclination and mandible arch were significantly reduced. In UCLP patients, there was a decrease in molar relation and incisor overbite, an increase in interincisal angle, reduced position and inclination of maxillary incisors and inclination of mandibular incisors, an increase in facial convexity, and lower facial height. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the absence of midface growth reduction, these short-term results suggest a tendency toward normal maxillomandibular growth.

[Current use of statistics in biomedical research: a comparison of general medicine journals]. / Uso actual de la estadística en investigación biomédica: una comparación entre revistas de medicina general.

BACKGROUND: The use of statistical techniques has become strongly consolidated in biomedical investigation. The present study analyzes the statistical repertoire of the original articles published in 1993 in four general medicine journals: Med Clin (Barc), Rev Clin Esp, Lancet and N Engl J Med. METHODS: A single reviewer examined 100 original articles from Med Clin (Barc), 42 from Rev Clin Esp, 105 from Lancet and 116 from N Engl J Med, studying the use of 18 categories of statistical analysis and the statistical accessibility of the reader. The criteria for assigning techniques to a specific category were those described by Emerson and Colditz. The knowledge of bivariable techniques (standard reader) was established as the reference for the study of statistical access. Statistical use consisted in the tabulation of frequencies, graphic representations and chi square tests. RESULTS: The five most used categories were: Contingency tables, t and z tests, epidemiologic statistics, survival analysis (in both English journals) and analysis of variance (in both Spanish journals). The percentage of articles without statistics or with only descriptive statistics was 16% in Med Clin (Barc), 29% in Rev Clin Esp, 18% for in Lancet and 23% in the N Engl J Med. A reader familiarized with bivariable techniques has statistical access to 58% for the originals of Med Clin (Barc), 62% of Rev Clin Esp, 35% of the Lancet and 42% of the N Engl J Med. CONCLUSIONS: In the four journals selected, the use of bivariable techniques is still frequent although the growing use of multivariant analysis is of note. The study of the current profile of the standard reader in Spain is the aim of priority.

[Use and presentation of statistics methods in original articles published in MEDICINA CLINICA in 1993]. / Uso y presentación de la metodología estadística en los artículos originales publicados en MEDICINA CLINICA durante 1993.

BACKGROUND: In the last few years a marked increase has been observed in the use of statistical techniques in biomedical publications. Some characteristics of the statistical quality of the first 100 articles consecutively published in 1993 in the section of originals and surveys of the journal MEDICINA CLINICA are presented in this study. METHODS: In each original one reviewer identified errors and/or criticisms in statistical methodology. An adaptation of the protocol of statistical revision made by the journal The Lancet since november 1990 was used in addition to its own classification. Likewise, an error and/or criticism involving minimum statistical quality necessary was considered as major and that which only had a decrease in optimum statistical level was considered as minor. Statistical analysis consisted in descriptive tables of the number of originals in which each of the classified errors and/or criticisms were observed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of the originals (CI 95%: 64;70) presented major errors and/or criticisms in design, analysis and inference. The most frequent were found in power and sample size (design), need for better analysis (analysis) and lack of confidence intervals (inference). Only 15% (CI 95%: 13;17) had major errors in statistical presentation and 82% (CI 95%: 80;84) minor errors among which the so-called orphaned p was of note. CONCLUSIONS: The need for accompanying the p values by the confidence intervals or taking the calculation of the required sample size into account are of note. Furthermore, the diffusion of explicit recommendations concerning the carrying out and presentation of statistical analysis is necessary.

[Current trends in the use of statistics in medicine. A study of original articles published in the Medicina Clínica (1991-1992)]. / Tendencias actuales en la utilización de la estadística en medicina. Estudio de los artículos originales publicados en Medicina Clínica (1991-1992).

BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been a notable increase in the use of statistical techniques in biomedical journals. Furthermore, the complexity of statistical analysis has increased because of data processing. In this study statistical accessibility is quantified and the types of statistical analysis performed in all the articles published under the section of original articles in the journal Medicina Clínica from 1991 to 1992 (volumes 96 to 99). METHODS: One reviewer analyzed a total of 264 original articles. The statistical analyses were classified according to a list with 18 categories. The quantification of accessibility was obtained from the order of the 18 categories with bivariate statistics (up to simple regression), being used as the reference threshold. Intrareviewer concordance was 97%. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of the 264 originals used categories of statistical analysis beyond that of descriptive statistics (inferential methods). The originals used bivariate tables (49.2%) and t and z tests (33.3%) most frequently. In 1992 the use of variance analysis and survival analysis increased notably (from 12.8% to 33.8% and 7.2% to 18.7%, respectively). More complex statistical techniques that models of simple regression (threshold reference) were used in 38.3% of the originals (31.2% in 1991 and 44.6% in 1992). CONCLUSIONS: The use of inferential statistics and the complexity of statistical analysis has increased suggesting a lower statistical accessibility in the originals of Medicina Clinica. The categories of variance analysis and survival analysis were those in which the greatest increase was observed in 1992 and were responsible for the increase in the complexity of 20% of the originals.

[An approach to the study of excess weight in health professionals using observational data]. / Aproximación al estudio del exceso de peso en profesionales sanitarios mediante datos observacionales.

BASIS: Overweight is a public health problem in Catalonia as well. Quetelet's body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used measurement in epidemiology for obesity quantification. This study was designed to assess its prevalence among the Catalonian health professionals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a self-evaluated anonymous questionnaire which was filled up by 176 health professionals (75 men, 101 women) attending several training programmes in public health. More than 90% of the were between 25 and 38 years of age. RESULTS: Overweight prevalence (BMI > or = ) was of 15% (10% - 10% - 20%), significantly greatest among men (29%) than among women (5%). In both cases, it was mainly mild overweight. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight prevalence is highest among male health professionals, although globally, it is lower than in the general adult population of Catalonia for similar age groups.

The apical seal of root canal sealing cements using a radionuclide detection technique.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical seal obtained with various root canal sealing cements using a new method based on the use of a radionuclide and an external detection technique. A total of 150 maxillary incisors and canines, which had been kept in saline solution, were used. The root canals were instrumented with a stepback technique and circumferential filing. Six experimental groups and two control groups were randomly formed. Each experimental group was obturated by a lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha points and a different sealing cement (two based on zinc oxide-eugenol cement, two based on resins and two on calcium hydroxide); the positive control used gutta-percha without sealing cement, while in the negative control the apex was covered with nail varnish, leaving the root canal empty. The apical leakage was measured using an external detection technique after submerging the root apices in a solution containing the radioisotope metastable 99Tc. No leakage was observed in the negative control group. There was a large difference between the leakage observed in the positive control group and the experimental groups. The best seal was obtained using Sealapex cement, which differed significantly from AH26, Tubli-Seal and Diaket; there was no significant difference between the latter. The poorest results were obtained with Endomethasone and CRCS; there was a significant difference between these and the previous three sealing cements.