Transitionen und Trajektorien

Educational Governance-Strategien im öffentlichen Schulbau

The social weight of silver in the Íslendingasögur and the Viking Age hoards

The Upper Palaeolithic rock art of Portugal in its Iberian context

Radiosynthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation of [18F]VC701, a Radioligand for Translocator Protein

Positron emission tomography (PET) can be used to monitor in vivo translocator protein (TSPO) expression by using specific radioligands. Recently, several [11C]PK11195 analogues have been synthesized to improve binding stability and brain availability. [18F]VC701 was synthesized and validated in CD healthy rats by biodistribution and inhibition analysis. Imaging studies were also conducted on animals injected unilaterally in the striatum with quinolinic acid (QA) to evaluate the TSPO ligand uptake in a neuroinflammation/neurodegenerative model. [18F]VC701 was synthesized with a good chemical and radiochemical purity and specific activity higher than 37 GBq/μmol. Kinetic studies performed on healthy animals showed the highest tracer biodistribution in TSPO-rich organs, and preadministration of cold PK11195 caused an overall radioactivity reduction. Metabolism studies showed the absence of radiometabolites in the rat brain of QA lesioned rats, and biodistribution analysis revealed a progressive increase in radioactivity ratios (lesioned to nonlesioned striatum) during time, reaching an approximate value of 5 4 hours after tracer injection. These results encourage further evaluation of this TSPO radioligand in other models of central and peripheral diseases.

Usefulness of an app in improving oral hygiene compliance in adolescent orthodontic patients

To evaluate the influence of an app-based approach in a protocol for domestic oral hygiene maintenance in a group of adolescent patients wearing fixed multibracket appliances.

Orthodontic bracket bonding without previous adhesive priming: A meta-regression analysis

To determine the consensus among studies that adhesive resin application improves the bond strength of orthodontic brackets and the association of methodological variables on the influence of bond strength outcome.

In vitro evaluation of microbial contamination of orthodontic brackets as received from the manufacturer using microbiological and molecular tests

Objective:  To test the null hypothesis that orthodontic brackets as supplied by manufacturers do not have microbial contamination. Materials and Methods:  The sample comprised 140 brackets of four different commercially available brands, used directly from the manufacturer's packaging, divided into 14 groups (n  =  10 brackets each). Of the 140 pieces, 60 were full cases and 80 were replacement brackets. Materials were tested to detect bacterial growth, analyze types of bacteria present (biochemical test), and identify bacteria (molecular test with polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). Results:  In two of 12 groups the brackets showed microbial contamination: group 1, Morelli full case brackets, and group 12, Abzil-3M Unitek replacement brackets. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the bacteria identified in groups 1 and 12, respectively (suggested by the biochemical test and confirmed by PCR). Conclusions:  Brackets of two brands (Morelli and Abzil-3M Unitek) were found to be contaminated by bacteria in the original packages supplied by the manufacturers, which suggests a risk for patient contamination. These data suggest that the manufacturers of these materials should improve the quality control of the packaging used, including sterilization, for the security of patient health.

Impact of wearing fixed orthodontic appliances on quality of life among adolescents: Case-control study

Objective:  To investigate the impact of wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents. Materials and Methods:  A case-control study (1∶2) was carried out with a population-based randomized sample of 327 adolescents aged 11 to 14 years enrolled at public and private schools in the City of Brumadinho, southeast of Brazil. The case group (n  =  109) was made up of adolescents with a high negative impact on OHRQoL, and the control group (n  =  218) was made up of adolescents with a low negative impact. The outcome variable was the impact on OHRQoL measured by the Brazilian version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11–14) – Impact Short Form (ISF:16). The main independent variable was wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. Malocclusion and the type of school were identified as possible confounding variables. Bivariate and multiple conditional logistic regressions were employed in the statistical analysis. Results:  A multiple conditional logistic regression model demonstrated that adolescents wearing fixed orthodontic appliances had a 4.88-fold greater chance of presenting high negative impact on OHRQoL (95% CI: 2.93–8.13; P < .001) than those who did not wear fixed orthodontic appliances. A bivariate conditional logistic regression demonstrated that malocclusion was significantly associated with OHRQoL (P  =  .017), whereas no statistically significant association was found between the type of school and OHRQoL (P  =  .108). Conclusions:  Adolescents who wore fixed orthodontic appliances had a greater chance of reporting a negative impact on OHRQoL than those who did not wear such appliances.

Maxillary anterior alignment stability in Class I and Class II malocclusions treated with or without extraction

Objective:  To compare the postretention stability of maxillary incisors alignment in subjects with Class I and II malocclusion treated with or without extractions. Materials and Methods:  The sample comprised 103 subjects with initial maxillary anterior irregularity greater than 3 mm and was divided into four groups: group 1 comprised 19 patients with Class I malocclusion treated with nonextraction (mean initial age = 13.06 years); group 2 comprised 19 patients with Class II malocclusion treated with nonextraction (mean initial age = 12.54 years); group 3 comprised 30 patients with Class I malocclusion treated with extractions (mean initial age = 13.16 years); group 4 comprised 35 patients with Class II malocclusion treated with extractions (mean initial age = 12.99 years). Dental casts were obtained at three different stages: pretreatment (T1), posttreatment (T2), and long-term posttreatment (T3). Maxillary incisor irregularity and arch dimensions were evaluated. Intergroup comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey tests. Results:  In the long-term posttreatment period, relapse of maxillary crowding and arch dimensions was similar in all groups. Conclusion:  Changes in maxillary anterior alignment in Class I and Class II malocclusions treated with nonextractions and with extractions were similar in the long-term posttreatment period.