Effect of CO2 laser combined with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution on the prevention of human and bovine enamel erosion.

This in vitro study evaluated the potential of CO2 laser (10.6 µm) combined with a stannous/fluoride-containing solution for preventing erosion in human/bovine enamel. Forty-eight samples of each substrate were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 12): W - distilled water; E - AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution; L - CO2 laser; and LE - CO2 laser+AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution. After surface treatments, samples were submitted to a 5-day erosive challenge, alternating immersions in 0.5% citric acid (2 minutes, 6x/day) and in artificial saliva. Optical profilometry (µm) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine surface loss and surface morphology, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). For human enamel, tissue loss was lower in group L (12.37 ± 4.46) than in group W (16.45 ± 2.76), and higher than in the groups treated with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution (E-5.44 ± 2.37; LE-5.55 ± 2.31). In group L, SEM images reveled a disorganized surface but fewer projections than in group W and LE showed fewer irregularities than W, E, and L. For bovine enamel, tissue loss in group L (13.90 ± 3.50) did not differ from that in group W (14.10 ± 2.98), and was higher than losses in groups E (5.70 ± 2.12) and LE (8.12 ± 2.56), which were statistically similar to each other. Groups W and L had similar aspects of demineralization, whereas groups E and LE showed homogenous surfaces. Surface-treated samples had no changes in their surfaces. CO2 laser was able to slightly prevent surface loss only on human enamel surface, but did not enhance the AmF/NaF/SnCl2 effect on the prevention of enamel erosion.

Effect of CO2 laser combined with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution on the prevention of human and bovine enamel erosion

Abstract: This in vitro study evaluated the potential of CO2 laser (10.6 μm) combined with a stannous/fluoride-containing solution for preventing erosion in human/bovine enamel. Forty-eight samples of each substrate were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 12): W - distilled water; E - AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution; L - CO2 laser; and LE - CO2 laser+AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution. After surface treatments, samples were submitted to a 5-day erosive challenge, alternating immersions in 0.5% citric acid (2 minutes, 6x/day) and in artificial saliva. Optical profilometry (μm) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine surface loss and surface morphology, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). For human enamel, tissue loss was lower in group L (12.37 ± 4.46) than in group W (16.45 ± 2.76), and higher than in the groups treated with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution (E-5.44 ± 2.37; LE-5.55 ± 2.31). In group L, SEM images reveled a disorganized surface but fewer projections than in group W and LE showed fewer irregularities than W, E, and L. For bovine enamel, tissue loss in group L (13.90 ± 3.50) did not differ from that in group W (14.10 ± 2.98), and was higher than losses in groups E (5.70 ± 2.12) and LE (8.12 ± 2.56), which were statistically similar to each other. Groups W and L had similar aspects of demineralization, whereas groups E and LE showed homogenous surfaces. Surface-treated samples had no changes in their surfaces. CO2 laser was able to slightly prevent surface loss only on human enamel surface, but did not enhance the AmF/NaF/SnCl2 effect on the prevention of enamel erosion.

Efeito in situ do laser de CO2 (9. 3 ? m), associado ou não à solução de AmF/NaF/SnCl2, em prevenir e controlar lesão de erosão em esmalte dental humano / In situ effect of CO2 laser (9. 3 ? m), combined or not with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution in prevent and control erosion lesion in human dental enamel

Diversas medidas vêm sendo propostas para a prevenção e controle do desgaste erosivo, como o uso de produtos fluoretados e lasers de alta potência. Este estudo in situ, cego e cruzado, visou avaliar o efeito do laser de CO2 (9.3 ?m), associado ou não a solução de AmF/NaF/SnCl2, na prevenção (Etapa 1: prevenção da lesão, amostras inicialmente hígidas) e controle (Etapa 2: controle da progressão da lesão, amostras previamente erodidas) da erosão dental em esmalte dental humano. As etapas foram divididas em duas fases, uma sem a exposição à solução de AmF/NaF/SnCl2 (Fase I) e outra com (Fase II). Para tanto, 192 fragmentos de esmalte dental humano (3 x 3 x 1 mm) foram divididos, randomicamente, em 4 grupos experimentais em cada etapa (n=12): C - sem tratamento (controle negativo); F - solução de AmF/NaF/SnCl2 (controle positivo); L - irradiação com laser de CO2 (9.3 ? ); L + - laser de CO2 (9.3 ? ) + solução de AmF/NaF/SnCl2. Doze voluntários utilizaram um dispositivo removível inferior bilateral contendo 8 amostras/fase. As amostras foram submetidas ao desafio erosivo ex vivo por meio de sua imersão em ácido cítrico (1,0%; pH 2,3; 5 minutos; 4x/dia em intervalos diferentes para cada fase, durante 5 dias). A perda de superfície foi determinada através da perfilometria óptica (n=12), e a morfologioa de superfície foi observada em Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Para MEV, foram selecionadas 24 amostras (n=3) submetidas aos 5 dias de ciclagem e, adicionalmente, 24 amostras extras (n=3), submetidas aos tratamentos de superfície. Os dados das amostras da Etapa 1 foram analisados estatisticamente através de ANOVA 1-fator, e as da Etapa 2, através de ANOVA 2-fatores para medidas repetidas (Tempo - lesão inicial e após 5 dias; e Tratamento - C, F, L, L + F); ambos com posterior comparação múltipla através do teste de Tukey. Na análise da Etapa 1, observou-se que os grupos L (4,59 ± 2,95 ? )e L + F (1 58 ± 1 24 ? ) apresentaram melhores resultados na prevenção de lesão de erosão, diferindo estatisticamente dos grupos C e F, os quais não diferiram entre si. E na etapa 2, o grupo L + F (4,99 ± 1,17 ? ) apresentou melhores resultados no controle da progressão da lesão, sendo o único grupo a não apresentar perda de superfície significativa entre lesão inicial e após 5 dias de ciclagem quando comparado com a lesão inicial. Portanto, o laser de CO2 apresentou potencial em prevenir e controlar a progressão de erosão em esmalte dental humano, apresentando maior eficácia quando associado à solução de AmF/NaF/SnCl2.

O perfil dos estudantes de Odontologia é compatível com o mercado de trabalho no serviço público de saúde brasileiro? / Is the profile of Dental students compatible with the Brazilian public health service?

Pesquisadores ao redor do mundo estudam as expectativas, em curto e longo prazo, dos estudantes de último ano de graduação, a fim de buscar evidências científicas que auxiliem gestores e formuladores de políticas públicas na tomada de decisão e no planejamento de suas ações no que diz respeito aos recursos humanos em saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar o perfil demográfico e socioeconômico dos estudantes do último ano do curso de Odontologia de uma universidade pública brasileira e relacionar suas perspectivas profissionais com características pessoais, familiares e histórico escolar. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e um questionário foi aplicado aos estudantes do último semestre nos anos de 2014, 2015 e 2016 na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo. Foi realizada a análise descritiva e o teste qui-quadrado foi utilizado para examinar a associação entre a intenção de prestar concurso público e migrar para o interior do país e as outras variáveis. A taxa de resposta foi de 82%. Dentre os estudantes da amostra, 76,52% moravam com os pais. A maioria (82%) cursou escola privada e somente 7,95% ingressou no curso por programas de quotas. Quanto às expectativas em relação ao futuro profissional, 70% pretendem trabalhar como autônomo, 61,36% no serviço público e somente 28,7% pretendem trabalhar no ensino. Este foi um estudo exploratório, com os limites descritos na literatura sobre a abordagem metodológica. Entretanto, pesquisas futuras devem avançar nas análises e incorporar metodologias qualitativas a fim de compreender em profundidade fenômenos tais como expectativa profissional, relação do aluno com o Sistema Único de Saúde e mercado de trabalho (AU).

Researchers around the world study the expectations, in the short and long term, of students attending the last year of undergraduate studies in order to seek scientific evidence to assist managers and policy makers in public health service. The objective of this study is to determine the demographic and socioeconomic profile of the students of the last year of a Brazilian public Dentistry university and to relate their professional perspectives with personal, family characteristics. A cross-sectional study was carried out and a questionnaire was applied to students from the last semester of 2014, 2015 and 2016, at University of São Paulo. The response rate was 82%, and 76.52% of the students lived with their parents. Most of them (82%) studied in private schools in the elementary and high school education and only 7.95% entered into university being benefited by the quota programs. Regarding expectations concerning the professional future, 70% intend to work as self-employed professionals, 61.36% in the public service and only 28.7% intend to work in education. This was an exploratory study, with the limits described in the literature on the methodological approach. However, future researches should incorporate qualitative methodologies in order to deeply understand phenomena such as the professional expectation, the student relation with the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and the labor market (AU).

Withanolides from leaves of cultivated Acnistus arborescens.

Seven withanolides, including four previously unknown, were isolated from the acetone and ethanol extracts of cultivated specimens of Acnistus arborescens. These four compounds were identified as rel-(18R,22R)-5ß,6ß:18ß,20-diepoxy-3ß,18α-dimethoxy-4ß-hydroxy-1-oxowith-24-enolide, rel-(20R,22R)-5ß,6ß-epoxy-4ß,16α,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24dienolide, rel-(20R,22R)-16α-acetoxy-6α-chloro-4ß,5ß,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide and rel-(20R,22R)-16α-acetoxy-20-hydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,24-trienolide. Their structures were elucidated by interpretation of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR), HRESIMS experiments and comparison with published data for similar compounds. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against a panel of four tumor cell lines (HL-60, HCT-116, SF-268 and PANC-1). Withanolide D was the most active, with an IC50 value in the range of 0.3-1.7 µM, rel-(18R,22R)-5ß,6ß:18ß,20-diepoxy-3ß,18α-dimethoxy-4ß-hydroxy-1-oxowith-24-enolide and rel-(20R,22R)-5ß,6ß-epoxy-4ß,16α,20-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24dienolide were moderately active, while all the others were non-cytotoxic.

Cotrimoxazole enhances the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii to antifungals

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cotrimoxazole on the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii strains to antifungals. A total of 18 strains of C. posadasii isolated in Brazil were evaluated in this study. The assays were performed in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and the combinations were tested using the checkerboard method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were reduced by 11, 2.4, 4.3 and 3.5 times for amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole, respectively. Moreover, it was seen that cotrimoxazole itself inhibited C. posadasii strains in vitro. The impairment of folic acid synthesis may be a potential antifungal target for C. posadasii.

Cotrimoxazole enhances the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii to antifungals.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cotrimoxazole on the in vitro susceptibility of Coccidioides posadasii strains to antifungals. A total of 18 strains of C. posadasii isolated in Brazil were evaluated in this study. The assays were performed in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and the combinations were tested using the checkerboard method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were reduced by 11, 2.4, 4.3 and 3.5 times for amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole and voriconazole, respectively. Moreover, it was seen that cotrimoxazole itself inhibited C. posadasii strains in vitro. The impairment of folic acid synthesis may be a potential antifungal target for C. posadasii.

In vitro synergistic effects of antituberculous drugs plus antifungals against Coccidioides posadasii.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro interactions of antituberculous drugs (ATDs) with antifungals against Coccidioides posadasii. Eighteen drug combinations, formed by an ATD (isoniazid, pyrazinamide or ethambutol) plus an antifungal (amphotericin B, ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole or caspofungin), were tested using the checkerboard method. All the antimicrobial combinations inhibited C. posadasii strains and synergistic interactions were observed for 10 combinations. Antagonism between the tested drugs was not observed. Stronger synergistic interactions were seen in the combinations formed by triazoles plus ethambutol as well as itraconazole plus pyrazinamide. Further studies in animal models are needed to confirm the usefulness of these combinations.