Models for Oral Biology Research 2.0.

The oral cavity constitutes a unique and complex system and environment [...

Manual therapy and dry needling improve mobility, pain and reduce fear of COVID-19 in temporomandibular disorder patients: Randomized controlled trial.

Background And Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pain and joint mobility outcomes in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), being that effective treatments are of clinical interest. We aimed to evaluate the effects of manual therapy (MT) and dry needling (DN), compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy/control (CO), on pain, articular mobility, and fear of COVID-19 in patients with TMD.

Materials And Methods: Sixty participants with myofascial TMD were randomly assigned to three groups: MT, DN, and CO.

The impact of distraction, masticatory performance and sex on food intake of school children from public and private schools: a randomized trial.

Recent research highlights the influence of distraction on caloric intake in adults. This study investigated the impact of smartphone use and reading comic book on food intake of schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years. One hundred and twenty students from public and private schools participated in experimental meal sessions.

Smartphone dependence predicts poorer mental health outcomes, eating behaviors, activity levels, and body image: A cluster analysis of Brazilian university students.

Introduction: Excessive smartphone use has been linked to mental health impairments and may potentially alter human behavior. These effects are particularly pronounced among young individuals, with university students being especially susceptible to the negative influences of smartphone use.

Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 781 Brazilian university students.

Thermal Facial Profile and Orofacial Myofunctional Aspects in Movement Disorder Patients: Comparison Between Parkinson Disease and Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3.

Objective: To evaluate the orofacial myofunctional characteristics, masticatory performance and facial thermal profile in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA3), comparing with healthy control ones.

Method: Seventy-two participants aged between 30 and 85 years were evaluated and divided into PD, SCA3 and control groups. The assessments included clinical evaluation using the Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores protocol (orofacial structures, mastication, swallowing and breathing aspects), masticatory performance assessed with a colour-changeable chewing gum and infrared thermography.

Score of fear of COVID-19 and physical activity level are related to the habitual consumption of dietary supplements.

The measures implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in both behavioral and lifestyle changes. The "Changes in Lifestyle-Related Behavior" instrument was developed to assess lifestyle-related behaviors in the Indian population. However, considering current knowledge, this instrument was not adapted for the Brazilian population.

The impact of mental health and psychological stressors on menstrual cycle modulation: exploring the influence of age and hormonal contraceptives.

Unlabelled: Stress, infections, and psychological and social well-being can affect the reproductive system. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can disrupt ovarian cyclicity. Estrogens can modulate stress responsiveness and mood.

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric dental care in two epicenters: Italy and Brazil.

The study aimed to compare the adherence of Brazilian and Italian pediatric dentists to the biosafety measures and operative protocols recommended by the health authorities during COVID-19 pandemic and to classify the participants according to their risk of infection. An online questionnaire with 34 questions about sociodemographic and occupational data, dental practice organization, biological risk management, and clinical operative protocols was sent to Brazilian and Italian pediatric dentists using a convenience sampling strategy. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis (two-step cluster) were performed (α = 5%).

Adherence to mediterranean diet and aromatic plants intake are related with gustatory function: A case-study from a Portuguese region.

The Mediterranean Diet has been recognized as one of the healthiest and most sustainable dietary patterns and is flavor rich due to the use of different seasonings, such as aromatic plants, in dish confection. Based on the hypotheses that: 1) gustatory function will affect food choices; 2) seasoning flavors may be differently accepted according to individuals' gustatory functions; the aim of the present study was to assess the association between taste sensitivity and/or preference with Mediterranean Diet adherence and seasoning consumption. A total of 383 adults (18-59 years old; 198 female, 185 male) from North Alentejo region of Portugal were enrolled in this study, with 291 (145 female and 146 male) also evaluated for gustatory function.

Fear of the COVID-19 vaccine in a public healthcare system and university setting.

Despite the known benefits, some individuals remain apprehensive about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, which hampers vaccination efforts and the achievement of herd immunity. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess vaccination rates and identify factors influencing fear of the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals served by the public healthcare system (Family Health Strategy - FHS) and in a university community in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Surveys were conducted face-to-face with FHS participants and online with university members, employing a free sharing approach on social media.

Mechanical stress distribution over the palate by different pacifiers assessed by finite element analysis and clinical data.

The mechanical behavior of each type of pacifier on rigid structures and their various impacts on orofacial growth have yet to be discovered. The study aimed to evaluate the stress distribution over a child's palate by three types of pacifiers using finite element analysis and clinical and laboratory data. Modulus of elasticity was obtained from 30 specimens comprising 10 of each conventional (A), orthodontic (B), and breast-shaped (C) pacifiers.

Food preferences and periodontal status of adults assisted by a public health care system.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between food choices and periodontal health status (PHS) in adults who receive care through a public health system. We evaluated food preferences and periodontal status in a sample of 442 individuals with at least eight natural teeth. We employed the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess food choices and the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) instrument to evaluate periodontal health status during clinical appointments.

Effect of sweetened beverages intake on salivary aspartame, insulin and alpha-amylase levels: A single-blind study.

The objective was to assess aspartame excretion in saliva and the salivary insulin, total protein (TP), and alpha-amylase (AMI) levels in response to the ingestion of sweetened beverages (sodium cyclamate, aspartame, acesulfame, and sucrose). Fifteen healthy participants were included in a single-blinded trial with the intake of Diet soft drink, Regular soft drink, Water + sweeteners, Low sucrose content (3.5 g), and Water (blank) in 5 different days.

Bypass gastroplasty impacts oral health, salivary inflammatory biomarkers, and microbiota: a controlled study.

Objectives: Knowledge about the impact of gastroplasty on oral health and salivary biomarkers is limited. The aim was to prospectively evaluate oral health status, salivary inflammatory markers, and microbiota in patients undergoing gastroplasty compared with a control group undergoing a dietary program.

Materials And Methods: Forty participants with obesity class II/III were included (20 individuals in each sex-matched group; 23-44 years).

Metabolic control of diabetic patients assisted by private and public health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study.

Aims: We sought to analyze the impacts of social restriction measures imposed by the pandemic COVID-19 on the control of metabolic parameters in diabetic patients.

Methods: We accessed the medical records of patients who underwent clinical follow-up in the public and private health systems between July 2019 and June 2021. The sample consisted of 288 patients (111 adults and 177 older individuals).

Understanding the relationship between orofacial structures and feeding habits of preschoolers: A multivariate analysis.

The understanding of the relationship between orofacial structures and feeding habits in preschoolers is helpful for health professionals and those dedicated to food science. The hypothesis tested was whether this relationship is already present even at a very young age. This cross-sectional study included 91 healthy caries-free children (50 girls/41 boys; 3.

Use of Saliva to Assess the Adherence to Treatment with Oral Hypoglycemic Agents in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is made by demonstrating the hypoglycemic condition, which involves the determination of plasma glucose, and the follow-up of hypoglycemic treatment is performed by assessing the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the saliva as an alternative sample in assessing the adherence to treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Methods: We selected 68 patients with T2DM, who were subjected to venous blood and saliva collection, in addition to answering a standardized questionnaire on adherence to hypoglycemic treatment.

Relation between caries experience and the consumption of sweetened drinks and processed food in children: A population-based study.

Objectives: Diet can play a role in caries disease and the consumption of ultra-processed foods has increased over the years. The purpose was to propose predictive models on the relation between caries experience, diet, sex, and oral health aspects.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 5213 schoolchildren aged 2-11 years and a questionnaire based on WHO Oral Health Survey was applied to assess the intake of sugary foods, oral hygiene practices, access to health services and parents' perception; dmft/DMFT index, biofilm accumulation and orthodontic treatment need were assessed by 6 calibrated dentists.

Orofacial myofunctional assessment and quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Objectives: To characterize orofacial myofunctional structures of elders with Parkinson's disease (PD) and examine the relationship with the stages of PD, pharmacotherapy, and quality of life.

Methods: PD Group with 45 elders and a control group (CG) of 10 healthy elders of both sexes were included (60-86 years). Structured interviews, medical records, and clinical examination gathered information on health aspects such as the use of drugs, Hoehn & Yahr stages 1-4, and oral health status.

Immediate Evaluation of the Effect of Infrared LED Photobiomodulation on Childhood Sleep Bruxism: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The gold standard for the management of sleep bruxism (SB) is the use of a rigid occlusal splint; however, there are limitations for its use in children and alternatives to the management of SB are needed. Photobiomodulation therapy has been used with positive results in temporomandibular disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy with infrared LED in children with SB.

Impact of gastroplasty on salivary characteristics, dental health status and oral sensory aspects: A controlled clinical study.

Background: Saliva is a non-invasive source of biomarkers useful in the study of different pathophysiological conditions. The qualitative and quantitative study of saliva, as well as the assessment of oral health, can be particularly useful for a better understanding of obesity due to its importance in the food oral perception and ingestion.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of treatment of morbid obesity (dietary counselling versus gastroplasty) on salivary characteristics, oral sensory perception and dental health in a controlled study.

Models for Oral Biology Research.

Oral biology is a scientific field that involves several disciplines, such as anatomy, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology and pathology [...