In vitro genotoxic and mutagenic effects of water samples from Sapucaia and Esteio streams (Brazil) under the influence of different anthropogenic activities.

Pollution of aquatic ecosystems is associated with the discharge of mainly industrial and urban effluents, which may cause damage to public health. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential of surface water samples under the influence of different anthropogenic effluents in a human-derived liver cell line (HepG2). Samples were collected in Esteio and Sapucaia streams (Rio Grande do Sul; Brazil), which flow into the Sinos River, a source of water supply for more than one million people.

Effectiveness of Laser Therapy and Laser Acupuncture on Treating Paraesthesia After Extraction of Lower Third Molars.

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the sensitive return of the lower alveolar nerve (LAN) using two photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) techniques, after the extraction of lower third molars or implant surgery. Sixty participants with sensory impairment of LAN were randomly divided into three groups ( = 20): group C-systemic medication (control-ETNA, 01 capsule, 8/8 h, 30 days); group laser therapy (LT) (808 nm, 100 mW, 40 sec/point, 4 J/point, intra/extraoral, irradiation following nerve path); group laser acupuncture (LA) (same parameters as the LT group, applied at six acupuncture points on the affected side (ST 4 [Dicang], M-HN-18 [Jiachengjiang], CV 24 [Chengjiang], ST 5 [Daying], ST 6 [Jiache], and point A1 [YNSA]). The following evaluations were performed, at predetermined times: general perception of paresthesia, thermal perception, vibratory mechanical perception, two-point discrimination, pain perception, and tactile perception.

[Dissatisfaction with dental services among dentate and edentulous elderly Brazilians: a multilevel analysis].

The scope of this study was to evaluate dissatisfaction with dental services among dentate and edentulous elderly Brazilians and its association with contextual and individual variables. The data from the National Oral Health Survey conducted in 2010 and contextual variables related to cities were used. Descriptive, bivariate and multilevel analysis was conducted among 1,989 elderly individuals.

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon produced from tannery solid waste applied for tannery wastewater treatment.

The removal of toxic compounds (azo dyes) from dyeing wastewater was investigated by an environmentally friendly activated carbon produced from solid waste generated in the tannery process, the cattle hair (CHW), activated with HPO (AC-CHW), suggesting a life cycle extension for this material from leather processing. Preliminary tests with aqueous solutions containing Acid Brown 414 (AB-414) and Acid Orange 142 (AO-142) removed 71.06% and 73.

Influence of Electroacupuncture and Laser-Acupuncture on Treating Paresthesia in Patients Submitted to Combined Orthognathic Surgery and Genioplasty.

The goal of this research was to observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) and laser-acupuncture on the return of tactile/pain sensitivity in patients who underwent orthognathic surgery. Thirty volunteers subjected to orthognathic surgery were evaluated and randomly divided into 2 groups, in which 3 treatments were evaluated: control ( = 30) (G0, medication + placebo laser treatment) and 2 experimental treatments ( = 15) (G1, medication + EA) or G2 (medication + laser-acupuncture). The control group had  = 30 because for each experimental treatment conducted on a volunteer's hemi-face, there was a control treatment on the other hemi-face.

Equity inthe use of dental services provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) among the elderly: a population-based study.

The scope of this study is to establish the profile of elderly users of dental services provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System(SUS) and associated factors from the standpoint of equity. It involves an analytical cross-sectional study with hierarchical modeling conducted on the basis of a complex probabilistic sample of groups of the elderly (65-74 years of age) living in a densely populated Brazilian city. Independent variables were included relating to: socio-demographic characteristics, access to information on health, behaviors/health-care system and health outcomes.

Benefits of laser phototherapy on nerve repair.

Post-traumatic nerve repair represents a major challenge to health sciences. Although there have been great advances in the last few years, it is still necessary to find methods that can effectively enhance nerve regeneration. Laser therapy has been widely investigated as a potential method for nerve repair.

Immature mosquitoes of Serra do Mar park, Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

With the objective of providing knowledge about the natural habitat of mosquito larvae, we conducted a study on the culicid fauna and identified larval habitat types at 3 different locations in the Serra do Mar State Park, Brazil, over the 12 months of 1991. We collected 1,425 larvae belonging to 23 species, of which the most frequent were Culex iridescens, Culex spp., Limatus durhami, and Trichoprosopon pallidiventer.