Interest in orthodontic tooth alignment in adult patients affected by periodontitis:a questionnaire-based cross-sectional pilot study

Abstract Background Orthodontic treatment can successfully align pathologically migrated teeth and lead to improvement of periodontal stability in patients with periodontitis. Periodontic‐orthodontic approaches have gained increasing attention in the past years. Here, we investigated the interest of adults affected by chronic periodontitis in undergoing orthodontic treatment as well as patient‐related and tooth‐related influence factors. Methods Periodontal and orthodontic measurements/indices were taken from 115 adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe periodontitis. The study participants answered a questionnaire investigating patient demographics, quality of life aspects, and their interest in undergoing orthodontic treatment. Correlations between clinical data, questionnaire responses, and this interest were analyzed by means of an age‐ and sex‐adjusted multiple regression model. Results Two‐thirds of the participants were interested in orthodontic therapy and indicated long‐term healthy and esthetically appealing teeth as their main motives. A significant correlation was found between subjectively felt impaired dental esthetics and an interest in orthodontic treatment. However, there were no correlations with the severity of periodontitis, tooth alignment, or patient demographics, including sex. Older patients were significantly more often interested in orthodontic treatment. Most participants had never been provided with information about orthodontic treatment options for adults. Conclusions A considerable number of adult patients with periodontitis were interested in orthodontics to improve tooth alignment. However, severity of periodontitis and tooth misalignment or demographic factors may not be indicative thereof. Therefore, dental practitioners need to be aware of patients wishing to align their teeth and to provide them with the relevant information and, if appropriate, enable interdisciplinary treatment planning

Mathematical Modeling of Human Glioma Growth Based on Brain Topological Structures: Study of Two Clinical Cases

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors and yet almost incurable due mainly to their great invasion capability. This represents a challenge to present clinical oncology. Here, we introduce a mathematical model aiming to improve tumor spreading capability definition. The model consists in a time dependent reaction-diffusion equation in a three-dimensional spatial domain that distinguishes between different brain topological structures. The model uses a series of digitized images from brain slices covering the whole human brain. The Talairach atlas included in the model describes brain structures at different levels. Also, the inclusion of the Brodmann areas allows prediction of the brain functions affected during tumor evolution and the estimation of correlated symptoms. The model is solved numerically using patient-specific parametrization and finite differences. Simulations consider an initial state with cellular proliferation alone (benign tumor), and an advanced state when infiltration starts (malign tumor). Survival time is estimated on the basis of tumor size and location. The model is used to predict tumor evolution in two clinical cases. In the first case, predictions show that real infiltrative areas are underestimated by current diagnostic imaging. In the second case, tumor spreading predictions were shown to be more accurate than those derived from previous models in the literature. Our results suggest that the inclusion of differential migration in glioma growth models constitutes another step towards a better prediction of tumor infiltration at the moment of surgical or radiosurgical target definition. Also, the addition of physiological/psychological considerations to classical anatomical models will provide a better and integral understanding of the patient disease at the moment of deciding therapeutic options, taking into account not only survival but also life quality

Homeostatic regulation of the endoneurial microenvironment during development, aging and in response to trauma, disease and toxic insult

The endoneurial microenvironment, delimited by the endothelium of endoneurial vessels and a multi-layered ensheathing perineurium, is a specialized milieu intérieur within which axons, associated Schwann cells and other resident cells of peripheral nerves function. The endothelium and perineurium restricts as well as regulates exchange of material between the endoneurial microenvironment and the surrounding extracellular space and thus is more appropriately described as a blood–nerve interface (BNI) rather than a blood–nerve barrier (BNB). Input to and output from the endoneurial microenvironment occurs via blood–nerve exchange and convective endoneurial fluid flow driven by a proximo-distal hydrostatic pressure gradient. The independent regulation of the endothelial and perineurial components of the BNI during development, aging and in response to trauma is consistent with homeostatic regulation of the endoneurial microenvironment. Pathophysiological alterations of the endoneurium in experimental allergic neuritis (EAN), and diabetic and lead neuropathy are considered to be perturbations of endoneurial homeostasis. The interactions of Schwann cells, axons, macrophages, and mast cells via cell–cell and cell–matrix signaling regulate the permeability of this interface. A greater knowledge of the dynamic nature of tight junctions and the factors that induce and/or modulate these key elements of the BNI will increase our understanding of peripheral nerve disorders as well as stimulate the development of therapeutic strategies to treat these disorders

Gender inequity in Saudi Arabia and its role in public health

In Saudi Arabia, local interpretations of Islamic laws and social norms have a negative impact on the health and well-being of women. The objective of this literature review was to discuss gender inequity in Saudi Arabia and its relation to public health. Despite the scarcity of recent statistics and information regarding gender inequity in Saudi Arabia, this review is an attempt to explore this sensitive issue in this country. Women´s roles and rights in Saudi society were examined, including education, marriage, polygamy, fertility, job opportunities, car driving and identification cards. Further research to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards health care of Saudi men and women is recommended.ةيمومعلا ةحصلا لىع هيرثأتو ةيدوعسلا في ينسنلجا ينب ةلادعلا مدع تلفريدوس نرويب ،يكرابم ينسح للها دبع ةلاقلما هذه نم فدلهاو .ءاسنلا ةيفاعو ةحص لىع يبلس يرثأت ةيعمتجلما تاداعلاو ةيملاسلإا ةعيشرلل ةيلحلما تايرسفتلل نوكي ،ةيدوعسلا في :ةصلالخا ةصالخا تامولعلماو تايئاصحلإا ةردن نم مغرلابو .ةيمومعلا ةحصلاب كلذ ةقلاعو ةيدوعسلا في ينسنلجا ينب ةلادعلا مدع ةشقانمو ةعجارم وه في ةأرلما قوقحو رود دقفت ىرجو .ديرفلا دلبلا اذه في ةيضقلا ةيساسح نع فشكلا لواتح ةلاقلما هذه نأ لاإ ،ةيدوعسلا في ينسنلجا ينب ةلادعلا مدعب ديزلماب صىويو .ةيولها تاقاطبو ،تارايسلا ةدايقو ،لمعلا صرفو ،باجنلإاو ،تاجوزلا ددعتو ،جاوزلاو ،ميلعتلا كلذ في ماب ،يدوعسلا عمتجلما .تايدوعسلاو ينيدوعسلل ةيحصلا ةياعرلا لوح تاسرمالماو تاهجوتلاو ةفرعلما مييقتل ثحبلا نم</p

Brain Activation During Compassion Meditation: A Case Study

Objectives: B.L. is a Tibetan Buddhist with many years of compassion meditation practice. During meditation B.L. uses a technique to generate a feeling of love and compassion while reciting a mantra. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neural correlates of compassion meditation in 1 experienced meditator. Methods: B.L. was examined by functional magnetic resonance imaging during compassion meditation, applying a paradigm with meditation and word repetition blocks. Results: The most significant finding was the activation in the left medial prefrontal cortex extending to the anterior cingulate gyrus. Other significant loci of activation were observed in the right caudate body extending to the right insula and in the left midbrain close to the hypothalamus. Conclusions: The results in this study are in concordance with the hypothesis that compassion meditation is accompanied by activation in brain areas involved with empathy as well as with happy and pleasant feelings (i.e., the left medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate gyrus).</p

Subjective need for implant dentistry in a Swedish population aged 45-69 years

The present paper is part of a comprehensive study of dental conditions and attitudes in a Swedish county population aged 45-69 years. A questionnaire was mailed to 3000 randomly-sampled individuals. The response rate was 79.4%. Part of the questionnaire contained questions about subjective need for implant treatment. The subjects were informed of the clinical procedures as well as of the fees for implant treatment in the Swedish insurance system. The subjects wearing removable dentures were asked if, instead of their removable denture(s), they wanted dental implants if such treatment was possible. Of those wearing removable partial dentures, 23% answered "yes". The corresponding figure for subjects totally edentulous in one jaw was 17%; for subjects totally edentulous in both jaws 8%. The individuals who had reported missing teeth not replaced were asked if they wanted their missing teeth replaced by dental implants if such treatment were possible. The % answering "yes" was 21%. The subjects with all teeth remaining were hypothetically asked what kind of treatment they wanted if they would lose 1 or 2 of their teeth. The answer "dental implant" was given by 51%. Thus, subjective need for dental implants tended to decrease with poorer dental conditions. The major reason for not wanting dental implants was satisfaction with present dental conditions. Cost for treatment had some importance, while environmental and psychological factors showed only very limited influence

Nursing personnel's views on oral health from a health promotion perspective : a grounded theory analysis

The aim of this study was to develop a model for how nursing personnel view oral health in general and the oral health of the care receivers in particular, applying a health promotion perspective and using grounded theory analysis. Data were collected through interviews with 17 nursing personnel, selected by strategic sampling. Analysis of the transcribed interviews showed that there were four strategies, related to staff education, hospital resources, and leadership motivation. The strategies were grounded in data and emerged from the interaction between the two main categories: 'the valuation of the importance of oral health' and 'the behavior towards oral health maintenance'. They were characterized as the routine, theoretical, practical, and flexible strategies, with the latter considered ideal. As increased knowledge is one important part in enhancing the nursing personnel's ability to perform oral hygiene procedures, there is a need for education among nursing personnel, primarily among those using a routine strategy.</p