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The DockThor-VS platform (https://dockthor.lncc.br/v2/) is a free protein-ligand docking server conceptualized to facilitate and assist drug discovery projects to perform docking-based virtual screening experiments accurately and using high-performance computing. The DockThor docking engine is a grid-based method designed for flexible-ligand and rigid-receptor docking. It employs a multiple-solution genetic algorithm and the MMFF94S molecular force field scoring function for pose prediction. This engine was engineered to handle highly flexible ligands, such as peptides. Affinity prediction and ranking of protein-ligand complexes are performed with the linear empirical scoring function DockTScore. The main steps of the ligand and protein preparation are available on the DockThor Portal, making it possible to change the protonation states of the amino acid residues, and include cofactors as rigid entities. The user can also customize and visualize the main parameters of the grid box. The results of docking experiments are automatically clustered and ordered, providing users with a diverse array of meaningful binding modes. The platform DockThor-VS offers a user-friendly interface and powerful algorithms, enabling researchers to conduct virtual screening experiments efficiently and accurately. The DockThor Portal utilizes the computational strength of the Brazilian high-performance platform SDumont, further amplifying the efficiency and speed of docking experiments. Additionally, the web server facilitates and enhances virtual screening experiments by offering curated structures of potential targets and compound datasets, such as proteins related to COVID-19 and FDA-approved drugs for repurposing studies. In summary, DockThor-VS is a dynamic and evolving solution for docking-based virtual screening to be applied in drug discovery projects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate noncarious cervical lesions (NCCL) in older adults by analyzing each lesion's morphology, dimension, and occlusal risk factors using intraoral scanning and clinical evaluation., Materials and Methods: Individuals over 60 treated at the School of Dentistry in Minas Gerais, Brazil, were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. We clinically evaluated 1245 teeth for the presence of NCCL and dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in 53 individuals. Three-dimensional models were obtained using Omnicam, and occlusal risk factors were evaluated through the presence of wear facets, intense occlusal contacts, and interferences. The 3Shape 3DViewer software was used to classify NCCL morphology and to measure their height. NCCL depth, width, and area measurements were determined using ImageJ. Descriptive analyses were performed. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed that quantitative data exhibited non-normal distribution. For bivariate analyses of quantitative data, the Mann-Whitney test was employed. The results were reported with mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, and maximum. For bivariate analyses of categorical data, the Pearson chi-square test was used. The results were reported with frequencies (counts) and percentages. A regression model evaluating the association between occlusal risk factors and the absence/presence of NCCL was built., Results: Most participants were female (58.5%), with a mean age of 66. The frequency of NCCL was 28.27%, corresponding to 352 teeth. Of these, 68.18% exhibited saucer morphology and 31.82% wedge-shaped morphology. The frequency of DH was 13.92% in teeth with NCCL. Saucer NCCL exhibited significantly greater height (p = 0.02), while wedge-shaped lesions showed greater depth (p < 0.001). Also, teeth with NCCL had a higher proportion of wear facets (66.8%; p < 0.001), intense occlusal contacts (39.8%; p = 0.008), and occlusal interferences (21.9%; p = 0.05). The regression model showed that teeth with wear facets were 1.50 times more likely to exhibit NCCL than teeth without wear facets (p < 0.001). Teeth with intense occlusal contact were 1.22 times more likely to exhibit NCCL than teeth without intense occlusal contact (p = 0.031)., Conclusions: NCCL is a common dental condition in the older adults evaluated in this study. Wedge-shaped NCCL exhibited greater depth, while saucer NCCL had more expressive height. Occlusal risk factors may represent a crucial mechanism for the occurrence of NCCL in this population., Clinical Relevance: Understanding the mechanisms involved in developing NCCL is helpful in diagnostic and preventive practices. The study showed the importance of dental occlusion and characteristics of different NCCL morphologies that help the clinician in decision-making., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are among the frontline healthcare workers and are classified as a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection; however, it has not yet been defined how these professionals were impacted. The aim of this study was to explore the conducts and perceptions of oral and maxillofacial surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Nine individuals, mean age 34.8 years, 66.6% men, were included in the study. A semi-structured interview with a qualitative approach was applied to professionals belonging to a messaging application group (WhatsApp). Content analysis was performed in the light of Hellerian theory in its daily theoretical framework for the interpretation of the memories reported by the participants. Four themes were identified. The lack of knowledge about COVID-19 and the fear of being contaminated during care were the main factors responsible for changes in the professionals' work routine. An important point was the collective reflection of the participants about the increase in biosafety barriers, which ensured a greater sense of security. The need for social isolation to contain the virus was also described. As a result, there was a great distance between professionals and their families, which generated high levels of anxiety in the former. Repetitive reports of slowness and reduced attendance directly related to financial loss and aggravated stress were also highlighted. The findings of this study reveal that oral and maxillofacial surgeons had their professional-personal axis affected in terms of daily habits, family life and financial strain, aspects that were responsible for impacting stress and anxiety levels., Competing Interests: We provide this information in the manuscript. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials., (Copyright: © 2023 Corrêa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

This study aimed to understand how the addition of pinto bean flour (PBF) and margarine affected the technological, sensory, and physicochemical properties of red rice-based gluten-free cookies. PBF addition (25-75 g/100 g) and margarine content (13.3-19.3 g/100 g dough) were varied according to a central composite rotatable design. Cookies selection was performed by overlaid contour and principal component analysis (PCA) for technological properties and sensory evaluation, respectively. Chemical composition analyses, bioactive compounds, and microstructure were carried out in the selected formulations. In addition, other physicochemical analyses were carried out during storage time. PBF addition affected the technological properties and increased the nutritional content of proteins (up to 13%), fibers (8.28%), iron (2.13%), zinc (1.54%), and phenolic compounds (139.46 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g), but it negatively affected sensory acceptance. However, margarine's addition improved all the sensory attributes in all the trials, showing an acceptance greater than 70%. Cookies with 50 g PBF, 50 g red rice flour, and 16.3 g margarine/100 g dough showed better technological, nutritional characteristics, and physicochemical quality up to 60 days of storage. This work contributed to the incorporation of mixtures of red rice and pinto bean for developing more nutritious cookies for celiac patients or even those who wish to consume gluten-free products., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Adjunctive therapies used before dental restorative procedures may encourage carious tissue removal. Beyond promising antimicrobial properties, treatments could positively modulate the dentin-pulp complex while not interfering with restoration survival. Herein, we evaluated a set of substances and their effects on carious lesions and the underlying dentin or pulp cells., Methods: Artificial caries lesions were developed in bovine teeth cavities immersed in Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei co-cultures. The cavities were treated according to the following groups: Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS), Chlorhexidine (CHX), Papacárie® (Papain gel), Ozone (O 3 ), and antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT). After treatments, samples were cultivated to count isolated microbial colonies. The zymography assay evaluated the activity of dentin metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9). Cell viability was indirectly assessed on human dental pulp cells after 24, 72, or 120 h, whereas the odontodifferentiation potential was evaluated after ten days of cell culture., Results: CHX and aPDT led to around 1 log bacterial load reduction. PBS, CHX, and aPDT showed the eventual expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Cell viability was reduced (< 30%) after 120 h for all groups compared to the control. CHX, O3, and aPDT induced greater odontodifferentiation (≈ 20% higher) than PBS and papain gel., Conclusion: Adjunctive therapies presented little or no biological significance in reducing bacterial load in artificial carious lesions. Although the activation of endogenous metalloproteinases may represent a possible concern for adhesive restorations, some of these treatments may have a positive role in dental pulp tissue repair., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyse the clinical performance of GIOMER restorative composites and compare them with other conventional restorative materials in permanent teeth.Methods Searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid and Cochrane Library were conducted. Grey literature search was also performed. Clinical trials that evaluated the clinical performance of restorations with GIOMER restorative composites in permanent teeth compared to those using composite resin, glass ionomer cement, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and other GIOMERs were included. Meta-analyses comparing GIOMER restorative composites with RMGIC at 6- and 12-month follow-ups and comparing two types of GIOMER were feasible.Results Ten studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In these studies, GIOMER was compared to different types of dental restoration materials. Dental restorations were evaluated by United States Public Health Service criteria in all included studies. Four studies were suitable for meta-analysis, which showed significant differences between GIOMER and RMGIC surface roughness at 6-month (odds ratio [OR] = 6.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.38-18.13) and 12-month (OR = 8.76; CI = 3.19-24.07) follow-ups. No significant differences between GIOMER restorative composites and RMGIC for marginal adaptation were found at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. When comparing two GIOMERs, significant differences were seen between Beautifil II and Beautifil Flowable Plus F00 for marginal staining (OR = 2.58; CI = 1.42-23.27; I 2 = 0%) and surface roughness (OR = 4.59; CI = 1.11-18.97; I 2 = 0%) at the 36-month follow-up. No significant differences between Beautifil II and Beautifil Flowable Plus F00 were seen for marginal adaptation and anatomic form at 6-, 18- and 36-month follow-ups.Conclusions GIOMER restorative composites presented similar performance concerning marginal adaptation and better surface roughness when compared to RMGIC. GIOMER Beautifil II presented similar performance to GIOMER Beautifil Flow Plus F00 concerning marginal adaptation and anatomic form and worse marginal staining and surface roughness when compared to Beautifil Flowable Plus F00., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to British Dental Association.)

Pericytes and glial cells are known to collaborate in dental pulp tissue repair. Cell-based therapies that stimulate these stromal components may be of therapeutic relevance for partially vital dental pulp conditions. This study aimed to examine the early effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) in pericytes from experimentally injured pulp tissue. To accomplish this, we used the Nestin-GFP/NG2-DsRed mice, which could allow the identification of distinct pericyte phenotypes. We discovered the presence of two pericytes subsets within the dental pulp, the Nestin + NG2 + (type-2) and Nestin - NG2 + (type-1). Upon injury, PBM treatment led to a significant increase in Nestin + cells and pericytes. This boost was mainly conferred by the more committed pericyte subset (NestinNG2 + ). PBM also stimulated terminal blood vessels sprouting adjacent to the injury site while maintaining signs of pulp vitality. In vitro, PBM induced VEGF upregulation, improved dental pulp cells proliferation and migration, and favored their mineralization potential. Herein, different subsets of perivascular cells were unveiled in the pulp tissue. PBM enhanced not only NG2 + cells but nestin-expressing progenitors in the injured dental pulp., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the color change of the Giomer resin composite (Beautifil-Bulk) by using photographs obtained with a smartphone (iPhone 6S) associated with Adobe Photoshop software (digital method), with the spectrophotometric method (Vita Easyshade) after immersion in different pigment solutions., Materials and Methods: Twenty resin composite samples with a diameter of 15.0 mm and thickness of 1.0 mm were confectioned in A2 color ( n = 5). Photographs and initial color readings were performed with a smartphone and spectrophotometer, respectively. Then, samples were randomly divided and subjected to cycles of immersion in distilled water (control), açai, Coke, and tomato sauce, 3 times a day, 20 minutes for 7 days. Later, new photographs and color readings were taken., Results: The analysis (2-way analysis of variance, Holm-Sidak, p < 0.05) demonstrated no statistical difference ( p < 0.005) between the methods in all groups. Similar color changes were observed for all pigment solutions when using the spectrophotometric method. For the digital method, all color changes were clinically unacceptable, with distilled water and tomato sauce similar to each other and with statistical differences ( p < 0.005) for Coke and açai., Conclusions: Only the tomato sauce produced a color change above the acceptability threshold using both methods of color assessment. The spectrophotometric and digital methods produce different patterns of color change. According to our results, the spectrophotometric method is more recommended in color change assessment., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (Copyright © 2022. The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry.)

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the experience of dental caries in individuals pre- or postliver transplant., Materials and Methods: Searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and Lilacs from databases' inception date up to April 2020 were undertaken. Gray literature and manual searches were also conducted. Observational studies were eligible. The retrieved references were evaluated by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment using the University of Adelaide tool were conducted. The strength of the evidence was assessed with GRADE., Results: The search retrieved 1990 references. Twenty-four cross-sectional studies were included. One subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the number of teeth with dental caries between pre-liver transplant and healthy individuals (mean difference = 1.65, confidence interval = -0.87 to 4.17). The prevalence of dental caries among pre-liver transplant individuals was 73.82% and in the post-transplant individuals was 72.83%. In the included studies, the main concern regarding risk of bias was the absence of control for confounding variables. The strength of the evidence was very low., Conclusions: Dental caries may be a relevant issue in pre- and postliver transplant individuals. Oral health counseling should be included in the care of pre- and/or postliver transplant individuals., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The MeX™ software is a useful tool for tridimensional data collection for surface evaluation and could be relevant to evaluate the same specimen in different phases of the study, assuming repeated measures of dental enamel roughness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sample metallization for dental enamel roughness analysis with 3D images reconstructed using MeX™ software from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. The influence of 74.98% (%mol/mol) argon-oxygen plasma for carbon layer removal on surface roughness of the metallized specimen was also evaluated. Dental enamel specimens were prepared for SEM analysis with and without carbon metallization using conventional or environmental modes. Argon-oxygen plasma for carbon layer removal was used and surface roughness was re-evaluated. Roughness obtained by SEM and MeX™ reconstructed images, with or without metallization, did not differ. No significant alteration on surface roughness after carbon layer removal using plasma was found. SEM baseline evaluation using conventional mode without sample preparation and in environmental mode were not comparable. Roughness of enamel 3D images reconstructed with MeX™ software from SEM images, with or without metallization was similar. The 74.98% (%mol/mol) argon-oxygen plasma removed the carbon layer with no effect on enamel roughness., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate pain perception and anxiety within the context of surgery for the placement of mandibular block bone and to evaluate the causality effect between theses variables., Material and Methods: A total of 13 patients were recruited for the study and were submitted to mandibular autogenous block bone surgery. Demographic data were collected and the anxiety level was determined using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The STAI was administered on the day of surgery and on the 14th postoperative day. Pain was determined using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and limitation of daily activities and postoperative symptoms were also reported. Data were analyzed using parametric tests (α=0.05) and cross-lagged analysis was performed to verify a causality effect., Results: Few patients reported interference with daily activities or the presence of postoperative symptoms. A significant association of bad breath/taste with STAI-State was detected on the 14th postoperative day. No evidence of causality between STAI and VAS was detected., Conclusions: The patient's self-evaluation indicates that the pain and anxiety level felt during treatment was not directly associated with the clinical aspects of the surgical procedure or with postoperative activities/symptoms limitations. Key words: Anxiety pain, questionnaires, autogenous bone block, treatment, outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors do not have any conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Medicina Oral S.L.)

This study was performed to evaluate the linear and volumetric effects of a technique for reconstruction of the posterior atrophic mandible, including the final bone gain of the graft, by three-dimensional assessment. Thirteen individuals were recruited into the study and submitted to a total of 15 mandibular autogenous bone block surgeries. Cone beam computed tomography images were obtained at three different times. Bone graft length and thickness, and the volume, height, and width of the graft were measured. Data were compared statistically among the time points using the Friedman test, and cluster analysis was performed to identify the association between the study variables and the resorption rate (α = 0.05). Linear analysis of the width and height of the recipient area at the different time points revealed a statistically significant difference. The final average increase in height was 1.6 mm; all subjects showed an average volume gain of 3.412mm 3 , and 77% of the subjects showed an average graft resorption of 0.688mm 3 construction of three-dimensional vertical defects of the posterior mandible resulted in good healing with minimal complications and minimal bone graft resorption, favouring vertical bone gain., (Copyright © 2019 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate studies assessing the prevalence of dental caries and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in comparison with individuals without CKD., Materials and Methods: Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline via Ovid, and ProQuest databases from their inception date until February 2018. Two review authors independently selected the studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. Meta-analysis was performed., Results: Twenty-seven studies were included in this study. For permanent teeth, 14 studies found that individuals without CKD had higher dental caries scores than those with CKD. However, only five studies presented results with a statistically significant difference between groups. Among the studies evaluating primary teeth, five showed that individuals without CKD had higher dental caries scores than those with CKD. Five studies showed that individuals with CKD had a significantly higher prevalence of DDE than individuals without CKD. The meta-analyses showed that individuals without CKD had significantly higher scores of dental caries teeth and surfaces than individuals with CKD. For DDE, no statistical difference between groups was observed., Conclusions: Individuals with CKD present lower dental caries scores and a higher prevalence of DDE in comparison with individuals without CKD., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study compared the vertical misfit of fixed implant-supported titanium (Ti6Al4V) and yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia frameworks milled using the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Zirkonzahn system., Materials and Methods: An aluminum mandibular master cast was used, and four analogs of the Regular CrossFit implant for straight multibase titanium alloy abutments (Institut Straumann) were fixed with self-curing acrylic resin in mandibular canine and second premolar tooth locations with the aid of a parallelometer. Scan abutments were placed over the four straight multibase Regular CrossFit abutments to determine their correct three-dimensional (3D) positioning in the virtual model. Implant frameworks were designed virtually, and five frameworks of each material (titanium alloy or yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia) were milled using the CAD/CAM system. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, with magnifications of 50×, 250×, and 1,000×, were obtained from three points on the buccal surface, three points on the lingual surface, and three points on the mesial surface of each abutment. The measurements were performed in the center of each of the thirds, thus defining points one, two, and three. The degree of vertical misfit at the framework-abutment interface was determined using ImageJ software and analyzed using the Student t test (P = .05)., Results: The mean misalignment value was 6.011 ± 0.750 μm for the titanium group and 9.055 ± 3.692 μm for the zirconia group., Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, there was no significant difference in vertical misfit between the titanium and zirconia implant frameworks produced using the CAD/CAM system. Regardless of the material used, the CAD/CAM frameworks achieved an adequate vertical fit.

Purpose: Biomechanical behavior of tooth-implant-supported prostheses (TISPs) with external and internal implants was compared., Materials and Methods: Two 3-D models of TISP were designed by varying the implant: external (Model EH) and internal hexagons (Model IH). After loading, von Mises stresses were obtained in implants, abutments, and screws. Principal maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) stresses were analyzed in periodontal ligament (PL), alveolar bone, and periimplant bone., Results: Model IH showed lower stress peaks in axial loading in the implant and in the screw but higher in abutment. In oblique loading, Model IH had lower stresses in the implant, but higher in the abutment and in the screw. In the σmax analysis for axial and oblique loads, stress peaks in Model IH were lower in PL, alveolar bone, and periimplant bone. In the σmin analysis for axial load, stress peaks in Model IH were lower in PL, but higher in alveolar bone and in periimplant bone. In oblique load, Model IH showed lower stress peaks in PL and alveolar bone, but higher stress peaks in periimplant bone., Conclusions: TISPs with IH implants do present lower risk of biomechanical failure.

The effect of thickness, shade and translucency of CAD/CAM lithium disilicate glass-ceramic on light transmission of light-emitting diode (LED) and quartz-tungsten-halogen units (QTH) were evaluated. Ceramic IPS e.max CAD shades A1, A2, A3, A3.5, high (HT) and low (LT) translucency were cut (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm). Light sources emission spectra were determined. Light intensity incident and transmitted through each ceramic sample was measured to determine light transmission percentage (TP). Statistical analysis used a linear regression model. There was significant interaction between light source and ceramic translucency (p=0.008) and strong negative correlation (R=-0.845, p<0.001) between ceramic thickness and TP. Increasing one unit in thickness led to 3.17 reduction in TP. There was no significant difference in TP (p=0.124) between shades A1 (ß1=0) and A2 (ß1=-0.45) but significant reduction occurred for A3 (ß1=-0.83) and A3.5 (ß1=-2.18). The interaction QTH/HT provided higher TP (ß1=0) than LED/HT (ß1=-2.92), QTH/LT (ß1=-3.75) and LED/LT (ß1=-5.58). Light transmission was more effective using halogen source and high-translucency ceramics, decreased as the ceramic thickness increased and was higher for the lighter shades, A1 and A2. From the regression model (R2=0.85), an equation was obtained to estimate TP value using each variable ß1 found. A maximum TP of 25% for QTH and 20% for LED was found, suggesting that ceramic light attenuation could compromise light cured and dual cure resin cements polymerization.

Purpose: To compare the stresses and displacements on perimplant bone generated by screw- and cement-retained prostheses using the finite element method., Materials and Methods: Two models were constructed: partial fixed implant-supported prostheses with three elements retained by screws (SFP) or cement (CFP). Vertical and oblique loads of 100 N were applied on the models. Bone was analyzed by the principal stresses σ1 and σ3. The displacement between the implant and the bone was identified by the penetration and gap., Results: Results showed a similar pattern in the distribution of the principal stresses between both prostheses. Under the σ1 stresses, the SFP showed similar values in the bone compared with the CFP. The analysis of the σ3 showed stress peaks 28% higher in the SFP, considering vertical and oblique loads. Displacement analysis showed a similar pattern and similar values between the prostheses for penetration and gap under both loads., Conclusions: There were no important differences in the σ1 analysis and the displacement between the SFP and CFP. The differences in marginal bone level reported between SFP and CFP in some clinical studies may not be related to a mechanical factor.

Many metals are toxic in human organism, as is the case of cadmium and lead. Therefore, the metal levels in food need to be controlled. In coffee, metals may present risks when they are extracted from the powder to be consumed as beverage. A flow injection analysis (FIA) system is proposed, with atomic absorption detection, to metal adsorption studies in coffee powder. Kinetic study, best isotherms and time, and mass influences were determined. They allowed analyzing the high lead and cadmium adsorption percentage in organic and conventional ground coffee. Metal adsorption occurs in multilayers, following Freundlich's model, and the kinetic model obeyed is the pseudo-second order. The cadmium adsorption suffered higher temperature influence, while the lead retention suffered higher mass influence. This study indicates that the majority of these toxic agents will be retained in the powder and will not be consumed by man, avoiding possible deleterious effects.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical performance of a silorane-based composite resin used for repairing dimethacrylate- based composite restorations., Materials and Methods: One operator repaired defective dimethacrylate-based resin restorations that were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: control (n=50), repaired with Adper SE Plus and Filtek P60 Posterior Restorative (3M ESPE); or test (n=50), repaired with P90 System Adhesive Self-Etch Primer and Bond and Filtek P90 Low Shrink Posterior Restorative (3M ESPE). After 1 week, restorations were finished and polished. Two calibrated examiners (weighted Kappa≥0.78) evaluated the repaired restorations, blindly and independently, at baseline, after 6 months, 1 and 2 years. The parameters examined were marginal adaptation, anatomic form, surface roughness, marginal discoloration, postoperative sensitivity, and secondary caries. The restorations were classified as Alfa, Bravo, or Charlie, according to modified US Public Health Service criteria. Variation in the levels of clinical parameters over time was evaluated by Friedman's ANOVA (α=0.05). The Mann-Whitney test assessed the differences between the materials for all clinical criteria at baseline, 6-month, 1- and 2-year recalls (α=0.05). The Wilcoxon test compared each composite resin for all clinical criteria at the same recalls (α=0.05)., Results: After two years, 79 repaired restorations were re-examined. No statistically significant differences were found between the materials at baseline or at the 2-year recall (p>0.05). Comparing baseline and 2-year recall, there was a statistically significant difference for marginal discoloration (p=0.029) in silorane-based composite restorations., Conclusion: After two years, the clinical performance of the silorane-based composite was similar to that of the dimethacrylate-based composite when used to make repairs.

Statement of Problem: The mechanical stability of the prosthetic components in the implant-prosthesis complex is essential to the long-term success of the restorations. However, little is known about the differences in the biomechanical behavior of screw- and cement-retained prostheses., Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the preload maintenance, stresses, and displacements of prosthetic components of screw- and cement-retained implant-supported prostheses by using the finite element method in a nonlinear analysis., Material and Methods: Two 3-dimensional models were constructed: implant-supported fixed partial prostheses with 3 elements retained either by screws (SFP) or cement (CFP). After the simulation of screw tightening, the preload was calculated for both prostheses. Then vertical and oblique loads (100 N) were applied on the models. The preload was identified, the maximum von Mises equivalent stresses (SEQV) were obtained on the screws, and the displacement among the abutment, the implant, and screw was identified by observing the penetration and gap in the contact interfaces., Results: Under vertical load, there was a higher decrease in the preload and in the SEQV on the screw in the SFP. Under oblique load, the SEQV was 24% higher on the screw of the SFP. In the displacement analysis under vertical load, penetration was concentrated in the threads of the screw in the SFP and between the abutment and implant in the CFP. The gap was 118% greater for the SFP and was concentrated on the abutment extension. Under oblique load, the displacement pattern was similar for both prostheses, but with values 66% higher for penetration and 96% higher for gap for the SFP., Conclusions: The SFP showed a higher biomechanical risk of failure than the CFP., (Copyright © 2014 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Here, the modulation of enzyme activity is presented by protein-imprinted nanoparticles produced using a solid-phase approach. Using trypsin as target, binding of the nanoparticles to the enzyme results in its inhibition or in stabilization, depending on the orientation of the immobilized enzyme used during imprinting., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Endemic dental fluorosis has already been described in some regions of the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and psychosocial impact of direct aesthetic restorative treatments in endemic fluorosis patients in the northern state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Was a quasi-experimental intervention study., Methods: The reference population consisted of individuals between 9 and 27 years of age that were served by a project intended to recover the smiles of patients with severe fluorosis. The questionnaires were administered on two occasions, 24 months apart (before and after dental treatment). Initially, descriptive analyses were conducted. Prevalence and severity, as well as the extent of the functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders were estimated based on the Oral Health Impact Profile instrument (OHIP-14). Comparisons between baseline and follow-up and between treatment techniques were carried out using the McNemar, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney tests., Results: The study involved 53 individuals, with a mean age of 15.9 years, treated with microabrasion, dental composite, or a combination of both techniques. The treatments performed proved to be competent for reducing the functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders as measured by the OHIP-14, pointing to the possibility of establishing protocols to be used in programs aimed at restoring the aesthetics and functionality of the anterior teeth in large populations., Conclusions: After performing the direct aesthetic restorative treatments in patients with endemic fluorosis, a significant improvement was observed in the prevalence and severity, as well as the extent of the functional and psychosocial impact of oral disorders.

Docking methodology aims to predict the experimental binding modes and affinities of small molecules within the binding site of particular receptor targets and is currently used as a standard computational tool in drug design for lead compound optimisation and in virtual screening studies to find novel biologically active molecules. The basic tools of a docking methodology include a search algorithm and an energy scoring function for generating and evaluating ligand poses. In this review, we present the search algorithms and scoring functions most commonly used in current molecular docking methods that focus on protein-ligand applications. We summarise the main topics and recent computational and methodological advances in protein-ligand docking. Protein flexibility, multiple ligand binding modes and the free-energy landscape profile for binding affinity prediction are important and interconnected challenges to be overcome by further methodological developments in the docking field.

Sample preparation and imaging techniques for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of dehydrated dental samples can hinder the structural analyses. This study qualitatively evaluated images obtained with two different protocols of SEM preparation and analysis to assess the dentine adhesive interface. The crown and root dentine of 12 bovine incisors were subjected to cementation with the resin cement RelyX U100 or RelyX ARC/SBMP (n = 6). After storage for 7 days in a moist environment at 37 ± 1°C, the dentine samples were dehydrated in an ascending alcohol series, and three specimens from each group were coated with gold or carbon and examined in a high-vacuum (JEOL JSM-6360LV, 10 kV) or low-vacuum (FEI Quanta 200F, 15-30 kV) microscope. Images were obtained at magnifications between 50 and 2,000×, but with different working distances. The use of high vacuum for carbon and gold coating and SEM visualization led to cracks in the samples. A small number of cracks can be described in the specimens subjected to the low-vacuum technique. The protocol for SEM imaging in low vacuum was considered more appropriate for preservation of the integrity of the evaluated structures.

Objective: This study was aimed to identify the knowledge and attitudes of dentists regarding ageing and the elderly., Background: As the population ages, there is a greater demand for differentiated care from health professionals. However, the treatment needs of the elderly population are not sufficiently addressed, particularly in developing countries., Materials and Methods: An official list of all dentists registered in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, was obtained from the Regional Dentistry Council. A questionnaire was delivered to 276 randomly selected dentists; the survey contained questions designed to characterise the sample and identify dentists' conduct towards elderly patients. A Likert scale was used to identify knowledge regarding care for the elderly and attitudes towards ageing., Results: Women demonstrated more positive attitudes towards the elderly. Graduates who worked in the public sector demonstrated a greater knowledge of geriatric dentistry (p < 0.05). Attending specific continuing education courses had no influence over the dentists' willingness to treat the elderly population. Significant associations were not found between attitudes and knowledge regarding the elderly., Conclusion: Dentists who worked in the public sector demonstrated a greater knowledge regarding the elderly. This knowledge did not influence attitudes towards ageing. Women demonstrated a more positive attitude regarding ageing and dental care., (© 2011 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

This study evaluated the activities of dentists, dental care and oral hygiene practices in the long-term care institutions of Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil). A semi-structured questionnaire was handed out to the coordinators of 37 philanthropic and 30 private institutions. The data was compared by the chi-square and Fisher's Exact Tests. 81% of the questionnaires were answered. The majority of the private (74.2%) and philanthropic institutions (87%) do not have a dentist (p=0.21). The location, period of existence, type institution kind and number of residents weren't factors regarding the presence of a dentist (p>0.05). 67% of the philanthropic institutions with equipped consultation rooms had dentists, though there were none when there was no consultation room. Even without consultation rooms, 13% of the private institutions had dentists. When necessary, 69.6% of the philanthropic institutions refer the elderly to public health centers, while 58.1% of the private institutions refer them to their family dentists. A higher percentage of the private institutions adopted systematic oral hygiene procedures (p=0.01), with a considerable divergence of treatment reported. There is a need to include a dentist on the health staff in the institutions and for systematization of oral hygiene practices.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to radiographically evaluate the relationship between the quality parameters of root canal fillings (apical extension, homogeneity, and taper) and periapical status. In addition, groups of teeth and complicating factors of endodontic treatment were assessed., Methods: This retrospective cohort study assessed the quality and periapical status of root-filled canals in a 4- to 7-year follow-up period. Each parameter was dichotomized into ideal and altered conditions. A root-filled canal with an ideal condition for all 3 parameters was considered perfect, whereas the loss of 1 or more ideal conditions defined satisfactory or deficient fillings, respectively. The periapical statuses at baseline and follow-up were classified as normal, slight widening of the apical periodontal ligament, or periapical lesion., Results: A total of 291 root-filled canals were evaluated. The prevalence of perfect, satisfactory, and deficient fillings was 54.6%, 37.5%, and 7.9%, respectively (P < .05). The periapical status at follow-up showed normal, slight widening of the apical periodontal ligament, or periapical lesion in 69.8%, 19.2%, and 11% of the roots, respectively (P < .05). The multivariate logistic regression showed that only preoperative periapical lesions (odds ratio, 2.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-7.03) and altered tapers (odds ratio, 3.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.51-9.24) were significantly associated with postoperative periapical lesions., Conclusions: Radiographic parameters of the quality of root-filled canals showed a significant relationship with the periapical status. Nevertheless, an altered taper was the main factor associated with the maintenance or development of periapical lesions after 4- to 7-year follow-up period., (Copyright © 2010 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In this work the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was the main component of a biosensor for adrenaline determination. The activity of this enzyme was measured in several vegetables. Banana (Musa sp.) extracts presented better results with 974 UA (units of activity). The biosensor was constructed with a polyethylene tube (0.8 mm i.d.) filled with: carbon paste containing 50 UA of the PPO in phosphate buffer (pH=7.00) solution and vaseline as agglutinant. When the biosensor was applied in medicine samples it provided a linear range from 8.00×10(-9) to 8.00×10(-4) mol L(-1); the results obtained with the proposed method and the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia method were in agreement (t-test). When it was applied in blood samples, the matrix-matching calibration was used, and the linear range was from 8.00×10(-7) to 8.00×10(-3) mol L(-1). In vivo studies were also done. The obtained results for those electrodes, which were inserted in the jugular vein of Wistar rats, were very promising., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study evaluated the care in philanthropic and private long-term institutions in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. A sample of 181 caregivers of elderly was interviewed and was evaluated rate elderly / caregiver, their training in service, satisfaction, difficulties in function and activities executed. The rate elderly / caregiver was higher in philanthropic. Most acquired their duties in helping the elderly. In private, a higher percentage learned their duties in courses and 54.7% have training after admission, the percentage being higher in private institutions (64.6%, p <0.05). Almost all reported satisfaction in the profession, but 51.4% reported difficulties in practice. The activity carried out more was the bath of the elderly(22.5%). Problems were raised regarding the structure and provision of services to elderly in institutions, especially in philanthropic.

The antimalarial acitivity of hydroxyethylamines, synthesized from the reaction of intermediated hydroxyethypiperazines with benzenesulfonyl chlorides or benzoyl chlorides, has been evaluated in vitro against a W2 Plasmodium falciparum clone. Some of the nineteen tested derivatives showed a significant activity in vitro, thus turning into a promising new class of antimalarials. In addition, a molecular modeling study of the most active derivative (5l) was performed and its most probable binding modes within plasmepsin II enzyme were identified.

Objective: The purpose of this survey was to increase our knowledge on the experience and feelings of edentulous people, 6 months after having acquired and worn a pair of complete removable prostheses., Background: The incorporation of conventional, complete removable prostheses may be an appropriate treatment which can result in an improvement in the quality of life of people who have lost their teeth., Methods: The 12 patients of the sample were interviewed individually according to a semi-structured questionnaire so as to create an atmosphere for open conversation regarding the subject matter. For each participant, photographs, before dental treatment and after the use of the prostheses, were taken. The images of the prostheses were reviewed and impressions were collected., Results: The analysis of participant's statements allowed one to verify if the complete removable prostheses improved the quality of life; however, difficulties encountered could lead users to abandon their prostheses., Conclusion: Appropriate investment on the part of health professionals, together with the clarification of information and the monitoring of patients, may well minimise these difficulties.

Objective: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and extent of tooth loss as well as denture wear and associated factors in institutionalised elderly in Brazil., Background: There is scarcity of research in Brazil concerning geriatric oral health issues., Material and Methods: A sample of 335 individuals over 60 years of age, representative of the institutionalised elderly from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were selected through a stratified sampling strategy. Data were collected from structured questionnaires, reviews of medical records and intra-oral examinations., Results: Edentulousness was observed in 74.9% of the elderly and was related to age, years of study, income, length of institutionalisation, systemic diseases and mini-mental score. Among the dentate subjects, 17.9% possessed 20 or more teeth. Approximately half the edentulous elderly (42.6%) and most of the partially dentate subjects (66.7%) did not wear dentures. The multivariate analysis showed that subjects that wear dentures were more likely to be female, possess higher incomes, be more functionally independent and married. Furthermore, the odds of wearing dentures among the elderly who had lost 13-32 teeth were 9.11 times higher than those who had lost up to 12 teeth., Conclusion: Tooth loss is highly prevalent in this institutionalised Brazilian population, and the prevalence of denture wear is low. The extent of tooth loss, income, functional status and marital status are important predictors for denture wear. The development of an oral health programme for these individuals should assist in their rehabilitation needs and promote in-home care or safe transport for the elderly to a health care location.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the profile of caregivers of elderly in long-term care facilities. The studied population included 181 randomly selected caregivers, 98 from philanthropic and 83 from private institutions in the city of Belo Horizonte. Data were collected applying structured questionnaires. The variables evaluated were sex, age group, educational level, marital status, income, economic condition, time of work in the facility, and professional experience. The data were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. There was no statistically significant difference between caregivers from the two facilities with regard to sex (p=0.62) and income (0.77). In the philanthropic facilities we observed more caregivers aged 50 years or more, widowers, with less than 4 years of study, socio-economic level D and who were working as caregivers in the facility for more than two years (p<0,05). The results of this study are relevant for discussing developing and implementing public policies aimed at qualifying the caregivers in long-term care institutions for elderly in Belo Horizonte.

In the present work, 11 different procedures for protein and metalloprotein extraction from horse chestnuts (Aescullus hippocastanum L.) in natura were tested. After each extraction, total protein was determined and, after protein separation through sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), those metals belonging to the protein structure were mapped by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SRXRF). After mapping the elements (Cr, Fe and Mn) in the protein bands (ca. 33 and 23.7kDa), their concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). Good results were obtained for protein extraction using a combination of grinding and sonication. However, this strategy was not suitable to preserve metal ions in the protein structure. In fact, there was 42% decrease on Mn concentration using this procedure, compared to that performed with sample agitation in water (taken as reference). On the other hand, when grinding and agitation with an extracting buffer was used, there was a 530% increase of Mn concentration, when compared to the reference procedure. These results indicate agreement between metal identification and determination in proteins as well as the great influence of the extraction procedure (i.e., the sample preparation step) for preserving metals in the protein structures.

An autosampler/injector commutator for flow injection analysis (FIA) was constructed with electronic components of used equipments. The apparatus is controlled by commercially available multifunctional interface (PCL711B) connected to a personal computer, and the software was written in Visual Basic language. The system was applied to water analysis and it presented satisfactory results. The low cost and simplicity are the principal characteristics of the autosampler/injector commutator.

A flow analysis (FA) system with spectrophotometric detection for Al determination in hemodialysis solutions was developed. The method was based on the reaction of Al with eriochrome cyanine R (ECR). The complex formed associated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)--a cationic surfactant, which showed enough sensitivity to execute the direct analyte determination. All interferences were eliminated with the matrix matching calibration. The system presented the following analytic parameters: sensitivity (m) of 8.10 x 10(-4)L microg(-1), limit of detection (LOD) of 3.24 microg L(-1) (3sigma), linear correlation coefficient of 0.9966 and linear range response from 10.8 to 650 microg L(-1). The accuracy of the proposed method was checked by comparison with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS) method. There were no differences among the results obtained from both methods, at a confidence level of 95% (paired t-test). Recovery tests were also made, values obtained were from 90.4 to 109 of recovery for Al-spiked samples.

This investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of storage conditions prior to brushing simulation on surface texture of restorative materials. One resin-modified glass ionomer (Fuji II LC Improved/GC Corp.), one polyacid-modified composite resin (Dyract AP/Denstply), one microfill composite (Durafill VS/Kulzer), and one hybrid (Filtek-Z250/3M) composite were tested. Forty-five standardized cylindrical specimens of each material were made and randomly divided into three groups according to their subsequent storage conditions: distilled deionized water, artificial saliva, or pH-cycling regime. After 24 h, the experimental units were finished and polished and the surface roughness was measured to obtain Ra baseline values (Bv). Samples were subjected to their assigned storage regime and brushed afterwards. By the end of 10 repetitions of this protocol, final surface roughness readings (Fv) were taken. The analysis of covariance (alpha = 0.05), considering the covariate Bv showed a significant interaction between restorative material and storage condition (p(value) = 0.0002). Tukey's test revealed that the pH-cycling model provided a significantly lower surface roughness for Fuji II LC and Dyract AP than did the other media. For both composites no significant difference among storage regimes was detected. Under a condition simulating dynamic variation in pH prior to abrasion, the resultant surface texture may be either smoothed down or unchanged, depending on the restorative material, when compared to the effect provided by artificial saliva and distilled deionized water., (Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 65B: 227-232, 2003)

This study evaluated the surface roughness pattern of resin-based restorative materials during brushing preceded by a regimen that simulated a dynamic pH-cycling. Restoratives included two resin composites (Renamel Microfill and Charisma), two polyacid-modified composite resins (Compoglass-F and Dyract AP) and one resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC Improved). Twenty standardized cylindrical specimens of each material were prepared according to a randomized complete block design. After finishing and polishing, the average surface roughness (Ra) and profile-length ratio (LR) of the specimens were determined. The experimental units were subjected to a pH-cycling regimen, and then to 10,000 brushing strokes. New readings of both the Ra and LR parameters were obtained. The same protocol of pH-cycling, brushing simulation and surface roughness measurements were repeated 10 times. Data was analyzed using ANOVA according to split-plot design and Tukey's test. Results showed the pH-cycling followed by 10,000 brushing strokes provided a remarkable increase in Ra for all restorative materials except for Renamel. Throughout the brushing simulation, Renamel, Charisma, Compoglass-F and Dyract AP showed steady textures, whereas Fuji II LC Improved exhibited a progressive increase in surface roughness. Among the materials tested, Renamel presented the smoothest surface, followed by Charisma and Compoglass-F, which did not differ from each other except at the baseline. Dyract AP was different from both these materials except at the baseline. Fuji II LC Improved had the roughest surface texture.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface micromorphology of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements and polyacid-modified resin composites subjected to a neutral sodium fluoride (NNaF) and an acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel application., Method and Materials: Thirty standardized cylindric specimens were randomly obtained from each of two resin-modified glass-ionomer cements-Fuji II LC Improved and Photac-Fil Aplicap-and two polyacid-modified resin composites--Dyract and F2000-amounting to 120 samples. After 1 week, the specimens were finished and polished with aluminum oxide disks. Surface treatments with fluoride gels, or distilled water as a control, were performed four times, interspersed with eight pH cycles, simulating high cariogenic challenges. Five calibrated evaluators assessed the surface micromorphology through photomicrographs., Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant difference between the control and experimental groups for Fuji II LC Improved and Dyract. Photac-Fil Aplicap showed less micromorphologic change as a result of distilled water application, unlike the NNaF and APF treatments, which revealed no significant difference from each other. For F2000, there was no significant difference between the surfaces treated by NNaF and distilled water; the highest degradation occurred with the APF., Conclusion: Both the resin-modified glass-ionomer cements and the polyacid-modified resin composites showed erratic behaviors concerning their micromorphology when subjected to fluoride gel application.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microleakage of six glass-ionomer composite resin hybrid materials compared with a glass-ionomer cement and a composite resin. Standardized class 5 dentin cavities were prepared on root surfaces of 240 extracted human teeth that were randomly assigned to eight groups and restored using the following restorative systems: (I) Vitremer, (II) Compoglass, (III) Photac-Fil Aplicap, (IV) Variglass, (V) Dyract, (VI) Fuji II LC, (VII) Ketac-Fil Aplicap, and (VIII) Z100. The teeth were thermocycled, placed in a 2% methylene blue solution, and sectioned with diamond disks. Dye penetration was scored on a scale of 0-3. Results showed no significant differences among groups VIII, IV, I, V, VI, III, and II. There were also no significant differences among groups VI, III, II, and VII.

Objective: This study was intended to quantify the marginal leakage of three glass-ionomer-resin composite hybrid materials and compare it with the leakage exhibited by a glass-ionomer cement and a bonded resin composite system., Method and Materials: Standardized Class V cavities were prepared on root surfaces of 105 extracted human teeth, randomly assigned to five groups of 21 each, and restored with either Ketac-Fil Aplicap, Z100/Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus, Vitremer, Photac-Fil Aplicap, or Dyract. The teeth were thermally stressed for 500 cycles and stained with methylene blue. The microleakage was quantified spectrophotometrically, and the data were statistically analyzed with Friedman's test., Results: There were no significant differences in microleakage among the five groups. Restorations of all tested materials showed some marginal leakage in Class V cavities., Conclusion: The microleakage performance of glass-ionomer-resin composite hybrid materials was similar to those of a conventional glass-ionomer and a bonded resin composite system.