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Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a term applied to functional changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures of mastication. Aim: To investigate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and TMD in children. Methods: 70 children between 6 and 14 years enrolled in the Rogationist Benevolent Institute of charity in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) underwent clinical examination by one calibrated examiner for the use of Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Weight and height were determined by anthropometric assessment for the diagnosis of nutritional status, and BMI was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation) was used to characterize the sample. ANOVA complemented by the Least Significant Difference test was used to compare the mean anthropometric measurements between the genders and the groups with and without TMD. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: We found a significantly high prevalence of TMD, as well as a significant association between TMD light and low body weight. Conclusions: The results show a high prevalence of TMD and a slight association between TMD and children with low body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of conservative techniques for the removal of carious tissue and the improvement of dental restoration materials allow better preservation of the dental structure. Chemomechanical caries removal is a conservative and atraumatic alternative. Papacárie is a papain-based material developed to act only on the carious dentin, allowing its easy removal with a blunt curette. This study aims to present a clinical case of aesthetic restoration of both upper deciduous central incisors after the removal of carious tissue with Papacárie. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This clinical case report describes concomitant developmental disorders in the permanent dentition. The concurrence of bilateral dens evaginatus and dental fusion is a rare dental anomaly. Dental fusion is characterized by the union of 2 adjacent teeth at the crown level, which produces the formation of an enlarged clinical crown. Dens evaginatus is an enamel elevation similar to a cusp, generally located in the main groove of molars and premolars. The etiology of both anomalies is uncertain. The purpose of this paper was to review the related literature and present a clinical case where both anomalies are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odontogenic lesions (OL) are an important group of oral and maxillofacial diseases represented by odontogenic cysts, benign, and malignant tumors. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/ tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling pathway has multiple biological actions and has been identified as an important pathway in the proliferation, invasion, and survival of different epithelial tumors. Its role in the development of OL, however, has so far been unexplored. Our aim was to evaluate the BDNF/TrkB/Akt/p-RPS6 signaling pathway in OL of epithelial origin. This cross-sectional study comprised 3 cases of tooth germs, 25 cases of odontogenic keratocyst (OK), 29 cases of ameloblastoma (Am), and 6 cases of ameloblastic carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for BDNF, TrkB, p-Akt, and p-RPS6 was performed. OLs were evaluated according to the pattern of immunohistochemical expression in epithelial cells and by semiquantitative scores that considered the intensity of staining and percentage of positive cells. BDNF stromal expression was also assessed. No significant differences were observed with respect to the percentage of positive cases for all markers. Regarding the immunoreactive scores, BDNF and p-RPS6 expressions were similar in the odontogenic epithelium of all OL. However, TrkB and p-Akt were overexpressed in OK compared with ameloblastic carcinoma. In Am, epithelial BDNF was significantly higher compared with stromal expression. In conclusion, BDNF seems to participate in the development of cystic, benign, and malignant odontogenic epithelium to similar degrees. The acquisition of the invasive or malignant phenotype in odontogenic neoplasms is not associated with alterations in the BDNF/TrkB/Akt/RPS6 axis, which could be implicated in the differentiation process., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Difficulties in diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions are a significant cause of delayed oral cancer diagnosis, and this difficulty may be due to gaps in knowledge. This study evaluated the diagnostic skills of primary healthcare professionals regarding oral cancer and presented them with an e-learning course., Materials and Methods: Forty-seven primary healthcare professionals (32 dentists and 15 nondentists) enrolled in a 24-h course on oral medicine delivered through an e-learning platform. A test, based on 33 clinical images of oral lesions, was used to evaluate the diagnostic skills of participants. The participants were requested to classify each lesion as benign, potentially malignant, or malignant as well as to inform their clinical impression. Three specialists also took the test as the gold standard., Results: Twenty-seven participants completed the test. Nondentists and dentists showed a comparable sensitivity of 68.8 ± 11.1 and 63.7 ± 15.8, respectively. Specialists performed somewhat better; however, the difference was not statistically significant (81.0% ± 4.1%, p = 0.16). Dentists and specialists (70.0% ± 16.6% and 95.5% ± 3.1%, respectively) showed higher specificity than nondentists (39.3 ± 20.6, p < 0.01). Nondentists had a higher number of unanswered questions (p < 0.01) for classification and clinical impression (50.0% ±45.1% and 72.0% ± 25.0%, respectively) than dentists (5.7% ±11.9% and 19.8% ± 20%, respectively). Both dentists and nondentists had low attendance in the course (44.57% ± 37.38% and 26.53% ± 26.53%, respectively, p = 0.26). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the diagnostic skills of public health workers belonging to different professional categories., Conclusion: Both dentists and nondentists have a fairly good capacity for discriminating the nature of oral lesions. Early squamous cell carcinoma is the most challenging situation and remains an issue to be addressed.

Epigenetic modifications constitute the next frontier in tumor biology research. Post-translation modification of histones dynamically influences gene expression independent of alterations to the DNA sequence. These mechanisms are often mediated by histone linkers or by proteins associated with the recruitment of DNA-binding proteins, HDAC I and II interacting proteins and transcriptional activators, coactivators or corepressors. Early evidence suggested that histones and their modifiers are involved in sophisticated processes that modulate tumor behavior and cellular phenotype. In this review, we discuss how recent discoveries about chromatin modifications, particularly histone acetylation, are shaping our knowledge of cell biology and our understanding of the molecular circuitry governing tumor progression and consider whether recent insights may extend to novel therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, we discuss the latest oncogenomic findings in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) from studies using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology and highlight the impact of mutations identified in histones and their modifiers.

Effects of phototherapy using low-level lasers depend on irradiation parameters and the type of laser used. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of phototherapy on the proliferation of cultured C2C12 myoblasts under different nutritional conditions using low-level GaAlAs and InGaAlP lasers with different parameters and incubation periods. C2C12 cells cultured in regular and nutrient-deficient medium were irradiated with low-level GaAlAs (780 nm) and InGaA1P (660 nm) lasers with energy densities of 3.8, 6.3 and 10 J/cm2, and 3.8, 10 and 17.5 J/cm2, respectively. Cell proliferation was assessed 48 and 72 h after irradiation by MTT assay. There were no significant differences in cell proliferation between laser-treated myoblasts and control cultures for any of the parameters and incubation periods. Further studies are necessary to determine the correct laser parameters for optimizing the biostirhulation of myoblasts.

Dentigerous cyst (DC) and keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KOT) are odontogenic lesions arising from epithelial elements, such as those observed in dental follicles (DF), that have been part of the tooth forming apparatus. These lesions show different clinical and histological characteristics, as well as distinct biological behavior. This study aimed to qualify and quantify collagen and elastic fibers by means of histochemical techniques with light and confocal laser microscopic methods in three odontogenic entities. Eleven DF, 13 DC (n=10 with inflammation, n=3 without inflammation) and 13 KOT were processed to the following techniques: Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's Trichrome, Picrosirius, Direct Blue, and Orcein. DF and DC without inflammation exhibited collagen with similar characteristics: no parallel pattern of fiber orientation, thick fibers with dense arrangement, and absence of distinct layers. A comparison between DC with inflammation and KOT revealed similar collagen organization, showing distinct layers: thin collagen fibers with loose arrangement near the epithelium and thick fibers with dense arrangement in distant areas. The only difference found was that KOT exhibited a parallel collagen orientation in relation to the odontogenic epithelia. It may be suggested that the connective tissue of DC is a reactive tissue, inducing an expansive growth associated with fluid accumulation and inflammatory process, which in turn may be present as part of the lesion itself. In KOT, loosely arranged collagen may be associated with the behavior of the neoplastic epithelium.

This clinical case report describes concomitant developmental disorders in the permanent dentition. The concurrence of bilateral dens evaginatus and dental fusion is a rare dental anomaly. Dental fusion is characterized by the union of 2 adjacent teeth at the crown level, which produces the formation of an enlarged clinical crown. Dens evaginatus is an enamel elevation similar to a cusp, generally located in the main groove of molars and premolars. The etiology of both anomalies is uncertain. The purpose of this paper was to review the related literature and present a clinical case where both anomalies are present.