Difficulties of dental practice among left-handed Tunisian students: a cross-sectional survey.

In dentistry, most equipment is designed for right-handed (RH) individuals. Thus, left-handed (LH) individuals are often forced to adapt to demanding RH working conditions, and therefore, experience difficulties in their practice. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of left handedness among dental students at the Dental Clinic of Monastir, Tunisia, and to investigate the difficulties for LH individuals during clinical practice.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a study in tertiary dental care.

The pandemic caused by coronavirus has resonated throughout different levels of health care in Brazil and, in this context, the present research aimed to evaluate this impact on tertiary dental care provided by the Unified Health System (SUS). Therefore, an ecological study was conducted with data obtained from the Hospital Information System processed by the Portal of the Department of Informatics of SUS. The sample consisted of patients of all sexes and age groups, whose Hospital Admission Authorizations (AIHs) were approved for dental tertiary care procedures from January 2015 to December 2020.

The impact of COVID-19 on breastfeeding rates: An international cross-sectional study.

Background: Breastfeeding promotes children's health and is associated with positive effects to maternal physical and mental health. Uncertainties regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission led to worries experienced by women and health professionals which impacted breastfeeding plans. We aimed to investigate the impact of self-reported and country-specific factors on breastfeeding rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Magnesium Status and Dietary Patterns Associated with Glycemic Control in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Hypomagnesemia and unhealthy eating patterns are associated with poor glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to associate magnesium status and dietary patterns with glycemic control in T2DM individuals. This cross-sectional study included 147 individuals with T2DM, aged between 19 and 59 years, of both sexes, residents in Sergipe/Brazil.

A cross-country study on the impact of governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal mental health.

This study aimed to analyse the role of governmental responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, measured by the Containment and Health Index (CHI), on symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum, while considering the countries' Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) and individual factors such as age, gravidity, and exposure to COVID-19. A cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Riseup-PPD-COVID-19 observational prospective international study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04595123) was carried out between June and October 2020 in 12 countries (Albania, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom).

Use of a product based on wood vinegar of Eucalyptus clone I144 used in the control of bovine mastitis.

Bovine mastitis is one of the most frequent diseases in dairy cattle worldwide. The use of antiseptics in milking, if properly used, can lead to a reduction in potentially pathogenic microorganisms and their transmission between herds. Several medicinal plants have antiseptic potential, including eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.

Mosquito vector competence for dengue is modulated by insect-specific viruses.

Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes are the main vectors for dengue virus (DENV) and other arboviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). Understanding the factors that affect transmission of arboviruses from mosquitoes to humans is a priority because it could inform public health and targeted interventions.

Immunological mechanisms involved in macrophage activation and polarization in schistosomiasis.

Human schistosomiasis is caused by helminths of the genus . Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune regulation of this disease. These cells acquire different phenotypes depending on the type of stimulus they receive.

Melatonin for sleep disorders in people with autism: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Melatonin is a potential therapeutic intervention for improving sleep quality in people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We investigate the effect of using melatonin as a sleep disorder treatment in people with ASD. Interventionist studies were searched in seven databases.

The Biomedical Importance of the Missing Pathway for Farnesol and Geranylgeraniol Salvage.

Isoprenoids are the output of the polymerization of five-carbon, branched isoprenic chains derived from isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and its isomer, dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP). Isoprene units are consecutively condensed to form longer structures such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (FPP and GGPP, respectively), necessary for the biosynthesis of several metabolites. Polyprenyl transferases and synthases use polyprenyl pyrophosphates as their natural substrates; however, it is known that free polyprenols, such as farnesol (FOH), and geranylgeraniol (GGOH) can be incorporated into prenylated proteins, ubiquinone, cholesterol, and dolichols.

Third-Generation Vaccines: Features of Nucleic Acid Vaccines and Strategies to Improve Their Efficiency.

Gene immunization comprises mRNA and DNA vaccines, which stand out due to their simple design, maintenance, and high efficacy. Several studies indicate promising results in preclinical and clinical trials regarding immunization against ebola, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The efficiency of nucleic acid vaccines has been highlighted in the fight against COVID-19 with unprecedented approval of their use in humans.

The Effectiveness of Vocal Health Programs in the Prevention of Voice Disorders in Teachers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of voice disorder prevention programs and to verify the effectiveness of direct and indirect voice training on the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL), maximum phonation time (MPT), fundamental frequency and shimmer, for the prevention of voice disorders in regular-school teachers.

Methods: This is a literature review with meta-analysis, carried out through an electronic search in PubMed, Cochrane Central, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and BVS, and Google Scholar, as well as ClinicalTrials.gov databases for gray literature.

Photoprotective effect of solid lipid nanoparticles of rutin against UVB radiation damage on skin biopsies and tissue-engineered skin.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing rutin were prepared to enhance their photochemopreventive effect on the skin. SLNs were produced by the hot melt microemulsion technique. Two 3D skin models: skin explants and 3D tissue engineering skin were used to evaluate the photochemopreventive effect of topical formulations containing rutin SLNs, against ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, inducing sunburn cells, caspase-3, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, lipid peroxidation, and metalloproteinase formation.

In vitro evaluation of the antibacterial effect of Brazilian red propolis ethanol extract in the prevention of periodontal disease in dogs.

Dental plaque (DP) is found on the surface of teeth and comprises a community of microorganisms that form a structured biofilm. Bacteria present in DP are potential periodontal pathogens when there is an imbalance in the healthy oral environment, and are precursors of periodontal disease (PD). In dogs, the treatments, such as mechanical removal, are difficult and expensive to apply.

Occurrence of acute kidney injury in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: The knowledge about the acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can help health teams to carry out a targeted care plan. This study aimed to determine the AKI incidence in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods: The electronic search covered research published until June 20, 2020, and included five databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Library).

Praziquantel: An update on the mechanism of its action against schistosomiasis and new therapeutic perspectives.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of all forms of schistosomiasis, although its mechanisms of action are not completely understood. PZQ acts largely on adult worms. This narrative literature review describes what is known about the mechanisms of action of PZQ against schistosomes from in vitro and in vivo studies and highlights the molecular targets in parasites and immune responses induced in definitive hosts by this drug.

Nanotechnology-Based Dressings for Wound Management.

Wound healing is known to be a complicated and intricate process and commonly classified as chronic or acute. Patients with chronic wounds are of public health concern, and require more attention onto skin lesions, including atopic dermatitis. Despite being a natural process, healing can be impaired by existing chronic de diseases such as diabetes, for example.

Biochemical Analysis of Urine Samples from Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients without Renal Dysfunction Using Spectrophotometry and Raman Spectroscopy Techniques Aiming Classification and Diagnosis.

The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative biochemical analysis between conventional spectrophotometry and Raman spectroscopy, techniques used for diagnoses, on the urine of healthy (CT) and diabetic and hypertensive patients (DM&HBP). Urine from 40 subjects (20 in the CT group and 20 in the DM&HBP group) was examined in a dispersive Raman spectrometer (an 830 nm excitation and a 350 mW power). The mean Raman spectra between both groups showed a significant difference in peaks of glucose; exploratory analysis by principal component analysis (PCA) identified spectral differences between the groups, with higher peaks of glucose and proteins in the DM&HBP group.

Bioactive Secondary Plant Metabolites from Euphorbia umbellata (PAX) BRUYNS (Euphorbiaceae).

The species Euphorbia umbellata has been used to treat inflammatory diseases, cancer, and ulcers. Biological activities reported in the literature, including antiproliferative, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory, are attributed to the chemical constituents present in its composition as terpenes and polyphenolic compounds. The most recurrently verified metabolites in the Euphorbiaceae family plant species are terpenes, of which euphol is a major constituent with broadly reported cytotoxic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects; it frequently appears in various extracts obtained from the plant.

Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Extracts: A Review.

Arctium lappa L., also known as burdock, is an edible wild plant which has the ability to grow in distinct environments and is considered a weed in several parts of the world. This species has great value in the biological and medical fields with its major secondary components being phenolic compounds and terpenes, substances rich in desired biological activities as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-inflammatory.

Pharmacological characterization of geraniol in sheep and its potential use in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes.

Geraniol (GNL) was effective against gastrointestinal nematodes ; nevertheless, the anthelmintic effect of phytochemicals combined with synthetic drugs has been little explored . This article characterized / the pharmacological features of GNL in sheep as well as its pharmacokinetic interaction with albendazole (ABZ). Additionally, the efficacy of GNL against was evaluated in lambs.

Efficiency of Pyroligneous Extract from ( [Willd.] Poiret) as an Antiseptic in Cats () Subjected to Ovariosalpingohysterectomy.

Pyroligneous extract of ( [Willd.] Poiret) was evaluated for its efficacy as a cutaneous antiseptic in cats () that were subjected to ovariosalpingohysterectomy. For this purpose, 30 cats without a defined breed were sterilized and divided into two groups.