Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare chronic autoimmune disease characterized by vascular abnormalities and connective tissue disorders. In 2021, the multidisciplinary team of the university hospital ...recognized a demand for oral health information among SSc patients. This study aims to describe the development of an SSc oral health booklet and its validation by people with SSc.
For the development of the booklet, the project creators employed the action research methodology involving ten stages. SSc patients evaluated the material by filling out a digital form.
One hundred and thirty-one people with SSc evaluated the booklet. It received an average score of 9.73 (SD: 0.80) in relevance, 9.82 (SD: 0.47) in explicitness, and 9.49 (SD: 0.93) in aesthetics. The final version was emailed to the participants and posted on social media.
This is the first booklet that deeply addresses these issues in Portuguese and constitutes a soft technology to instruct and assist patients with SSc.
The production of high-quality educational materials on oral health for patients with SSc is necessary. The online distribution increased its reach and had great importance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Systemic sclerosis orofacial abnormalities impose challenges to health professionals.•Health education enables patients to self-manage systemic sclerosis.•Educational booklets must use simple language and illustrations to improve patients' understanding.•Patients' suggestions are essential to improve educational booklets.•The online distribution of educational materials improves their reach.
We evaluated factors contributing to activity limitations in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model.
In a ...cross-sectional study, we measured five activity constructs in 81 people with RA.
Multiple regression analysis revealed the following results for the five constructs: (1) RA Activities (R² = .512) included handgrip strength, range of motion deficit, deformity, and mental health; (2) Upper-Limb Activities (R² = .473) included time since diagnosis, dexterity, handgrip strength, and range of motion deficit; (3) Timed Activities (R² = .320) included dexterity and work activities; (4) Physical Autonomy Activities (R² = .562) included range of motion deficit, vitality, pain, and functional classification; and (5) Physical Conditions for Activities (R² = .416) included functional classification and vitality.
Factors most associated with activity limitations were handgrip strength and hand range of motion deficits. Activity limitations in people with RA are multifactorial.
The use of red mud in the geopolymer production is an attractive method for managing this waste. However, the processing steps usually applied, such as drying and grinding, can significantly increase ...the material processing costs, and consequently increase the cost of the final product. In this study, geopolymers were developed using red mud “in natura” (non‐processed slurry) and glass waste powder. Parameters including SiO2/Al2O3 ratio (4, 5, and 6), NaOH solution (6, 8, and 10 M) and curing duration (10, 28, and 56 days), were examined to understand the extent and degree of geopolymerization. Compressive strength tests were performed along with the analysis of their microstructural characteristics using quantitative x‐ray diffraction (QXRD) analysis based on Rietveld's refinement method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal analysis (TG and DTA). As a result, higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratios and NaOH solution concentrations generally lead to greater compressive strength, which ranges from 9.7 to 43.1 MPa. Microstructural and compositional analyses demonstrated that the final products consist of an amorphous geopolymer binder, crystalline phases originating from raw RM and a neoformed phase, Garronite. This study showed that the RM without any processing step displays a high potential in the geopolymer production.
Experimental scheme of the synthesis of geopolymers produced with red mud in nature.
Aim
To determine the prevalence of probable sleep bruxism (PSB) and associated factors among schoolchildren.
Design
This cross‐sectional study was carried out with a representative sample of 440 ...schoolchildren. The children were submitted to a clinical oral examination for the evaluation of tooth wear and/or muscle discomfort. Parents/caregivers filled out a questionnaire with information related to characteristic sounds of sleep bruxism, sociodemographic factors, and the presence of harmful oral habits of children. The stress of the mothers was measured through the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults (LSSI) instrument. The child's stress was measured through the Child Stress Scale (CSS). Data analysis included descriptive analysis and hierarchical Poisson regression (95% CI, P < 0.05).
Results
The prevalence of PSB was 40.0% (n = 176). The final Poisson regression model showed that PSB was significantly more prevalent in children with a history of nail biting (PR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.19‐1.90; P = 0.001) and biting objects (PR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.63; P = 0.025) and less prevalent among girls (PR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.63‐0.98; P = 0.033).
Conclusions
The prevalence of PSB in schoolchildren was high. Schoolchildren with a history of nail biting and biting objects had a higher prevalence of PSB.
Objective
To investigate the association between probable sleep bruxism (PSB) and associated factors in schoolchildren.
Materials and methods
A case-control study was conducted with a representative ...sample of 320 schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years. The case group (160 children with PSB) and the control group (160 children without PSB) were matched for sex and age at a proportion of 1:1. Information on audible characteristics of PSB, harmful oral habits, and socio-demographic characteristics as collected through questionnaires answered by the parents/caregivers. The family functioning of children was measured through The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES III). Mothers self-administered the Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory (LSSI) for adults to measure mothers’ stress and the children filled out the Child Stress Scale (CSS) to measure the children stress. Data analysis used descriptive and logistic regression analyses (
p
< 0.05).
Results
Among the children with stress, 67.3% had PSB. Children with stress (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.18–4.19), those with a history of nail biting (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.39–3.55), and biting objects (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.09–2.87) were more likely to have PSB.
Conclusion
Childhood stress and a history of nail biting or biting objects are important signs to be considered in schoolchildren with PBS.
Clinical relevance
These results alert that the PBS might be a sign of stress and other psychological problems such as tension and anxiety related to the presence of harmful oral habits. Furthermore, the results could help in the targeting of anamnesis, improved prevention and treatment strategies for sleep bruxism which should involve an interdisciplinary approach.
Modern lifestyle and social demands induce changes in sleep routines that may not meet individual circadian preferences (chronotype). Such changes may be associated with the development of unhealthy ...lifestyles and the emergence of diseases relevant to public health services, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, as well as sleep bruxism (SB) and awake bruxism (AB). The present study aimed to assess the relationship between the evening, morning or intermediate chronotypes with the report of possible SB and AB in adult individuals assisted by the Family Health Strategy (FHS). The selection of participants was performed through probabilistic cluster analysis. The sample size (n = 384) was calculated to include a representative sample of the 52,628 adults registered in the FHS of a countryside city located in the Southeast Region of Brazil. The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) was used to determine the chronotype, and Questionnaire-Based Self-Reported Bruxism was used for identifying possible SB and AB. The following clinical and social-behavioral variables were also evaluated: age, sex, BMI, income, physical activity, schooling, alcohol consumption and smoking, chronic diseases and depression. Two logistic regression models were used: one for SB and one for AB. Possible SB was associated with female sex, lack of physical activity and income above 2 minimum wages. Regarding chronotype, a 19% reduction in the chance of possible SB was observed in morning individuals compared to evening individuals (p = .017). Possible AB was associated with younger individuals, smoking and depression. In conclusion, compared with the evening circadian preference, the morning circadian preference was associated with greater protection against possible SB in an adult population assisted by the FHS.
Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is an ecological alternative to chemical soil fumigation. However, little is known about the potential of this technique for the management of Meloidogyne javanica ...and Stromatinia cepivora. To test the hypothesis that ASD reduces the viability of these two pathogens, we assessed ethanol (5%, v:v) and sucrose (5%, m:v) as carbon sources for ASD, for an incubation period of three weeks. Twenty kilograms of soil naturally infested with M. javanica (82 ± 43 J2 100 cm-3 soil) were placed into a plastic container. Polyester traps, each with 15 S. cepivora sclerotia, were buried at 10 and 20 cm depth per container. ASD with diluted ethanol or sucrose (5% v:v or m:v) was compared to the untreated control (UTC), chemical fumigant metam sodium (MS), and soil saturation with water. In comparison to the UTC, ASD using ethanol reduced the numbers of J2 in soil and the galls in tomato roots by more than 93%, a degree of suppression similar to that achieved when using MS. The viability of sclerotia of S. cepivora was reduced by ASD using ethanol or sucrose from 38.12 to 58.1% compared to the UTC. ASD for three weeks using ethanol or sucrose (5%) reduces the viability of M. javanica and S. cepivora in the microcosm.
The intricate relationship between Chagas disease and ischemic stroke remains unclear. Limited evidence exists concerning secondary prophylaxis, etiological diagnosis, and stroke-related ...determinants. This study aims to discern factors linked to stroke in Chagas disease by contrasting patients with and without a history of ischemic stroke.
Retrospective data from all outpatient Chagas disease patients from two Brazilian hospitals - one Chagas center and one stroke clinic - were examined. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify stroke-associated factors. Variables were compared between patients with and without ischemic stroke history.
Among 678 subjects, 72 had experienced stroke. Univariate associations with stroke included male gender, heart failure, prior or ongoing alcoholism, electrocardiographic features (non-sinus rhythm, left bundle branch, right bundle branch block, left anterosuperior fascicular block, atrial fibrillation), as well as echocardiographic findings indicative of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and segmental abnormalities. After logistic regression (multivariate analysis), congestive heart failure, right bundle branch block, left anterosuperior divisional block, and atrial fibrillation retained independent associations.
In this study, cardiac involvement emerged as the predominant factor correlated with stroke in Chagas disease. While atherosclerosis-related risk factors were prevalent, their influence on ischemic stroke in Chagas disease appeared limited.
