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The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the association between denture-related oral mucosal lesions and Alzheimer disease (AD) in older adults (60 years and older). Seventy elderly adults (35 with AD and 35 classified as mentally healthy) were included in this study, which was carried out in a Brazilian medical center. Clinical data on oral lesions and mucosal findings were recorded, including alterations in the color or appearance of any lesions, if present. The influence of possible confounding factors, including sex, age, race, education level, health conditions, harmful habits, gait speed, and oral status (use of removable prostheses and denture hygiene), was analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the frequency of denture-related oral mucosal lesions. Logistic regression analysis showed a higher prevalence of AD among individuals aged 80 years and older, those who were illiterate, users of tobacco, and patients with a slower gait. These results suggest that AD is not a risk factor for denture-related oral mucosal lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the response rate of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire sent and received by mail and over a social network to caregivers of individuals with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) in Brazil. Methods: All volunteers were first-degree relatives of patients with EB that directly spent time helping them with their basic activities of daily living. A maximum of two caregivers per patient could answer the questionnaire. Volunteers were divided into two groups: for group 1, questionnaires were sent to 53 members of a support association for the disease by mail, and for group 2, 798 members of the Facebook™ page of friends and relatives of patients with EB were invited to participate using an access link to Google Drive™ to gain access to the questionnaire. The data from both groups were analyzed 150 days after the start the study. Descriptive analysis was performed by EpiInfo8 and the return of questionnaires was evaluated according to age, sex, and time of return using the Chi-squared and Fisher's exact test. Results: After 150 days, 30 questionnaires were returned, 17 (56.7%) of which from group 1 and 13 (43.3%) from group 2. Approximately 12 questionnaires were returned by mail and 11 over the social network. Conclusions: The data collection of the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire from caregivers of individuals with EB over a social network seems to be efficient mainly when it is necessary to collect results within a short timeframe, highlighting the importance of social networks as a means for conducting this type of research. However, in our study, the most efficient method was distributing the questionnaires by mail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the differences in ALDH1 expression in lamina propria of oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid reaction (OLR), leucoplakia, and the nonspecific chronic inflammatory process (NCIP). This study selected 16 samples from each group. The OLP and OLR followed van der Meij and van der Waal criteria, the leucoplakia and NCIP presented subepithelial chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The ALDH1 expression of the samples was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of positive cells in the selected fields from the lamina propria were evaluated and categorized in 1 to 3. The final score from each sample was defined as the fields' mean score. Only the cells located at the inflammatory infiltrate were considered. The OLP presented a higher median expression of ALDH1 in lamina propria (2.00) than RLO (1.25; p=0.012), leucoplakia (1.32; p=0.027), and NCIP (1.15; p=0.005). Moreover, in 4 RLO samples (25.0%), 6 leucoplakia (37.5%), and 5 NCIP (31.25%), all the evaluated fields showed less than 10% of the cells expressing ALDH1. In OLP, this event did not occur. the ALDH1 expression in lamina propria was higher in OLP cases, raising the hypothesis that this protein is involved in an autoimmune response. FAPEMIG [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 38-year-old woman attended the dental clinic reporting painless facial asymmetry of unknown evolution. Extraoral exam revealed slight bilateral alteration in the mandibular contour. The patient had previously been diagnosed with Gardner's syndrome, and intestinal polyps and desmoid tumor were detected. The patient reported that this syndrome also affected some relatives. Imaging exams showed multiple radiopaque lesions compatible with osteomas, as well as impacted and supernumerary teeth. The patient's daughter (13 years old) presented a slight painless swelling bilaterally in the mandibular angle on clinical examination. Imaging exams revealed impacted and supernumerary teeth and multiple sclerotic masses, 2 of them in the mandibular angles on the surface of the cortical bone. A therapeutic approach to improve aesthetics has not been performed yet because of the pandemic. The clinical cases reinforce the need for proper anamnesis and genetic counseling of patients. Additionally, changes in the gnathic bones may favor the early diagnosis of intestinal polyps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]