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Research output, citation impact, and the most-cited recent papers from Universidade Luterana do Brasil (Brazil). Aggregated across the NobleBlocks index of 300M+ scholarly works.

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Lutheran University of BrazilUniversidad Luterana de BrasilUniversidade Luterana do Brasil

Top-cited papers from Universidade Luterana do Brasil

Early childhood caries epidemiology, aetiology, risk assessment, societal burden, management, education, and policy: Global perspective
Norman Tinanoff, Ramón Báez, Carolina Diaz Guillory, Kevin J. Donly +4 more
2019· International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry712doi:10.1111/ipd.12484

BACKGROUND: This paper is a summary of the proceedings of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry Bangkok Conference on early childhood caries (ECC) held in 3-4 November 2018. AIM: The paper aims to convey a global perspective of ECC definitions, aetiology, risk factors, societal costs, management, educational curriculum, and policy. DESIGN: This global perspective on ECC is the compilation of the state of science, current concepts, and literature regarding ECC from worldwide experts on ECC. RESULTS: Early childhood caries is related to frequent sugar consumption in an environment of enamel adherent, acid-producing bacteria in a complex biofilm, as well as developmental defects of enamel. The seriousness, societal costs, and impact on quality of life of dental caries in pre-school children are enormous. Worldwide data show that ECC continues to be highly prevalent, yet infrequently treated. Approaches to reduce the prevalence include interventions that start in the first year of a child's life, evidence-based and risk-based management, and reimbursement systems that foster preventive care. CONCLUSIONS: This global perspective on ECC epidemiology, aetiology, risk assessment, global impact, and management is aimed to foster improved worldwide understanding and management of ECC.

Pesquisa qualitativa: análise de discurso versus análise de conteúdo
Rita Catalina Aquino Caregnato, Regina Maria Varini Mutti
2006· Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem449doi:10.1590/s0104-07072006000400017

Considerando o crescente interesse nas pesquisas qualitativas na área de Enfermagem, acreditase ser importante o conhecimento de diferentes formas de análise existentes. Este artigo tem como objetivo fazer uma reflexão sobre dois tipos de análise utilizada freqüentemente na pesquisa qualitativa, algumas vezes confundidas. Apresenta-se uma fundamentação teórica da Análise de Discurso e da Análise de Conteúdo e se expõe as diferenças entre estas duas formas de análise. A principal diferença é que a Análise de Discurso trabalha com o sentido do discurso e a Análise de Conteúdo com o conteúdo do texto. A opção teórica da Análise de Discurso abordada neste estudo recai sobre a linha francesa, que tem como seu precursor Michel Pêcheux e na Análise de Conteúdo enfoca-se Laurence Bardin.

Avaliação de desempenho do Self-Reporting Questionnaire como instrumento de rastreamento psiquiátrico: um estudo comparativo com o Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR
Daniel Maffasioli Gonçalves, Aírton Tetelbom Stein, Flávio Kapczinski
2008· Cadernos de Saúde Pública432doi:10.1590/s0102-311x2008000200017

The SRQ (Self-Reporting Questionnaire) is a psychiatric screening tool that originally included 30 questions. The Brazilian version of SRQ-20 (a version that includes the 20 items for non-psychotic mental disorders) was validated in the early 1980s. The objective of the present study was to validate the Brazilian version of SRQ-20 and the 5 items for alcohol-related disorders as compared to the SCID-IV-TR (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR) as the gold standard. The study was conducted in Santa Cruz do Sul, a small town in southern Brazil, with 485 subjects (54.8% females, mean age 40.04 years). The 5 items for alcohol-related disorders showed low sensitivity (66%). The optimum cutoff value for SRQ-20 was 7/8, with 86.33% sensitivity and 89.31% specificity. The discriminant power of SRQ-20 for psychiatric screening was 0.9, and Cronbach's alpha was 0.86.

Crowd Analysis Using Computer Vision Techniques
Julio C. S. Jacques, Soraia Raupp Musse, Cláudio R. Jung
2010· IEEE Signal Processing Magazine352doi:10.1109/msp.2010.937394

This article presents a survey on crowd analysis using computer vision techniques, covering different aspects such as people tracking, crowd density estimation, event detection, validation, and simulation. It also reports how related the areas of computer vision and computer graphics should be to deal with current challenges in crowd analysis.

Postnatal depression in Southern Brazil: prevalence and its demographic and socioeconomic determinants
Leila Tannous, Luciana Petrucci Gigante, Sandra Cristina Pereira Costa Fuchs, Ellis D'A Busnello
2008· BMC Psychiatry335doi:10.1186/1471-244x-8-1

BACKGROUND: Studies investigating the prevalence of postnatal depression (PND) show rates ranging from 5% to 36.7%. The investigation of age, race, educational levels, religion and income as risk factors for PND has yielded conflicting results. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of PND in women residing in Southern Brazil and the associated risk factors. METHODS: This is population-based cross-sectional study of women residing in Porto Alegre who delivered in June 2001. A sample of 271 participants were selected from the Record of Living Newborn Infants of the State Health Department (the official Brazilian database and stores the name and address of all women who give birth to living newborn infants) using a process based on pseudo-random numbers which choose a random sample from 2.000 records. Once the addresses were identified, the women were visited at their place of residence (home, hotel, boarding house and prison), with the interviews taking place between the 6th and the 8th week after delivery. The association between the risk factors and PND was investigated through bivariate analysis using Pearson's chi-square test. Student's t-test was used to analyze the continuous variables. To identify independent risk factors, multivariate analysis was performed using hierarchical levels with a predefined model that took into account the time relationship between PND and the risk factors. Cox's regression was used to calculate the prevalence ratios. RESULTS: The PND prevalence rate found was 20.7% (CI 95% 15.7 - 25.7). After adjusting for confounding variables, per capita income was found to have a significant association with PND. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PND is higher than the figures found in most developed countries and similar to the figures found in developing countries. Differences in PND by regions or countries can be partially explained by the effect of income on the mediation of risk factors. In low income populations, women should be routinely evaluated for postnatal depression, and those with no partner or spouse are likely to require further care from health services and should be given the benefit of mental health prevention programs.

Response of the pulp of dogs to capping with mineral trioxide aggregate or a calcium hydroxide cement
Italo Medeiros Faraco, R Holland
2001· Dental Traumatology334doi:10.1034/j.1600-9657.2001.170405.x

This study was conducted to observe the response of dogs' dental pulp to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and a calcium hydroxide cement when used as pulp capping materials. After the pulps of 30 teeth were exposed, they were capped with either MTA or a calcium hydroxide cement. Histological analysis was performed 2 months after treatment. Results showed a healing process with complete tubular dentin bridge formation and no inflammation in any of the pulps capped with MTA. On the other hand, only five specimens from the calcium hydroxide cement group formed a complete dentin bridge. In this experimental group, pulp inflammation was observed in all but three cases. In conclusion, MTA exhibited better results than the calcium hydroxide cement for the capping of the pulp in dogs.

WHO Global Consultation on Public Health Intervention against Early Childhood Caries
Prathip Phantumvanit, Yuka Makino, Hiroshi Ogawa, A J Rugg-Gunn +4 more
2018· Community Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology308doi:10.1111/cdoe.12362

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is prevalent around the world, but in particular the disease is growing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries in parallel with changing diet and lifestyles. In many countries, ECC is often left untreated, a condition which leads to pain and adversely affects general health, growth and development, and quality of life of children, their families and their communities. Importantly, ECC is also a global public health burden, medically, socially and economically. In many countries, a substantial number of children require general anaesthesia for the treatment of caries in their primary teeth (usually extractions), and this has considerable cost and social implications. A WHO Global Consultation with oral health experts on "Public Health Intervention against Early Childhood Caries" was held on 26-28 January 2016 in Bangkok (Thailand) to identify public health solutions and to highlight their applicability to low- and middle-income countries. After a 3-day consultation, participants agreed on specific recommendations for further action. National health authorities should develop strategies and implement interventions aimed at preventing and controlling ECC. These should align with existing international initiatives such as the Sixtieth World Health Assembly Resolution WHA 60.17 Oral health: action plan for promotion and integrated disease prevention, WHO Guideline on Sugars and WHO breastfeeding recommendation. ECC prevention and control interventions should be integrated into existing primary healthcare systems. WHO public health principles must be considered when tackling the effect of social determinants in ECC. Initiatives aimed at modifying behaviour should focus on families and communities. The involvement of communities in health promotion, and population-directed and individual fluoride administration for the prevention and control of ECC is essential. Surveillance and research, including cost-effectiveness studies, should be conducted to evaluate interventions aimed at preventing ECC in different population groups.

Gingival Recession: Epidemiology and Risk Indicators in a Representative Urban Brazilian Population
Cristiano Susin, Alex Nogueira Haas, Rui Vicente Oppermann, Ola Haugejorden +1 more
2004· Journal of Periodontology295doi:10.1902/jop.2004.75.10.1377

BACKGROUND: Gingival recession is a common manifestation of periodontal disease, but it is also associated with other risk factors. A few studies have investigated the epidemiology and risk factors of this condition. This study describes the epidemiology of gingival recession in a representative, urban Brazilian population and assesses various risk indicators. METHODS: A representative sample of 1,460 subjects was selected using a multi-stage, probability, cluster sampling strategy. The subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and had a full-mouth clinical examination in a mobile examination center. RESULTS: More than half (51.6%) and 22.0% of the individuals and 17.0% and 5.8% of teeth per individual showed gingival recession > or = 3 mm and > or = 5 mm, respectively. The prevalence, extent, and severity of recession correlated with age. Recession showed a nonlinear relationship with age, with 25 to 50 year olds showing the highest level of recession. Males aged > or = 30 years showed significantly higher prevalence and extent of gingival recession than females. The percentage of teeth with recession was significantly higher in the lower socioeconomic groups irrespective of age, and in subjects > or = 30 years of age with irregular dental care than in subjects with regular care. Using a multivariable model, cigarette smoking and presence of supragingival calculus were the factors most significantly associated with localized and generalized recession, whereas gender, dental visits, and socioeconomic status were not significant risk indicators. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of gingival recession in this Brazilian population may be primarily related to destructive periodontal disease and is significantly associated with a high level of supragingival dental calculus and cigarette smoking. Population-based programs aimed at the prevention of periodontal diseases may reduce the prevalence of severe gingival recession in this and similar populations.

Descobrindo a estatística usando o SPSS
Miriam Raquel Wachholz Strelhow, Sheila Gonçalves Câmara
2011280

Resenha: Descobrindo a estatistica usando o SPSS Referencia Field, A. (2009). Descobrindo a estatistica usando o SPSS. Porto Alegre: Artmed.

Oral health‐related quality‐of‐life scores differ by socioeconomic status and caries experience
Benjamin W. Chaffee, Priscila Humbert Rodrigues, Paulo Floriani Kramer, Márcia Regina Vítolo +1 more
2017· Community Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology278doi:10.1111/cdoe.12279

OBJECTIVES: (i) Quantify the relative association between child dental caries experience and maternal-reported child oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL); (ii) examine whether that association differed according to family socioeconomic status (SES); and (iii) explore whether absolute OHRQoL varied by family SES at similar levels of child caries experience. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of children in southern Brazil (n=456, mean age: 38 months) participating in an existing health centre-based intervention study. OHRQoL impact was quantified as mean score on the Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and compared over categories of caries experience (dmft: 0, dmft: 1-4, dmft: ≥5). Adjusted ECOHIS ratios between caries categories were calculated using regression modelling, overall and within socioeconomic strata defined by maternal education, social class and household income. RESULTS: Caries prevalence (dmft >0) was 39.7%, mean ECOHIS score was 2.0 (SD: 3.5), and 44.3% of mothers reported OHRQoL impact (ECOHIS score >0). Increasing child caries experience was associated with worsening child and family quality of life: ECOHIS scores were 3.0 times greater (95% CI: 2.0, 4.4) for children with dmft ≥5 vs dmft=0, a pattern that persisted regardless of family socioeconomic status (P for interaction: all >0.3). However, adjusted for dental status and sociodemographic characteristics, mean ECOHIS scores were lower when reported by mothers of less educational attainment (ratio: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5, 1.0), lower social class (ratio: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5, 1.0) or in lower income households (ratio: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.3). CONCLUSION: Dental caries was associated with negative child and family experiences and lower OHRQoL across all social groups; yet, families facing greater disadvantage may report lesser quality-of-life impact at the same level of disease experience. Thus, subjective quality-of-life measures may differ under varying social contexts, with possible implications for service utilization, evaluating oral health interventions, or quantifying disease morbidity in low-SES groups.

Overweight and Obesity as Risk Indicators for Periodontitis in Adults
Caroline Formolo Dalla Vecchia, Cristiano Susin, Cassiano Kuchenbecker Rõsing, Rui Vicente Oppermann +1 more
2005· Journal of Periodontology258doi:10.1902/jop.2005.76.10.1721

BACKGROUND: Developed and developing countries are facing an obesity epidemic with various health consequences. Few studies have addressed the relationship between obesity and periodontal health. The present study assessed the association of overweight and obesity with periodontitis in Brazilian adults. METHODS: A representative probability sample comprising 706 subjects aged 30 to 65 years from south Brazil was examined clinically and using a structured interview. Overweight and obesity were assessed by body mass index (BMI) using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Individuals with > or =30% teeth with attachment loss > or =5 mm were classified as having periodontitis. Statistical analysis accounted for survey design, and separate analyses were performed for non-smokers. RESULTS: In this population, 60% and 65% of males and females, respectively, were overweight or obese. Periodontitis was observed in 50.7% and 35.3% of males and females, respectively. The percentage of males with periodontitis was similar in the overweight/obese individuals compared to those with normal weight. In females, there was a positive correlation between the BMI index and the occurrence of periodontitis, with a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of periodontitis in obese than in normal weight females. The multivariable analysis showed that obese females were significantly more likely (odds ratio = 2.1) to have periodontitis than normal weight females. A separate analysis for non-smokers showed that obese females were approximately 3.4 times more likely to have periodontitis than the normal BMI group. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of periodontitis between BMI groups among smokers of both genders and in male non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was significantly associated with periodontitis in adult, non-smoker women. Overweight was not significantly associated with periodontitis. Smoking may attenuate the association of periodontitis with obesity.

Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery and Development in Brazil: Targeted Plant Collection as a Rational Strategy to Acquire Candidate Anti-Cancer Compounds
Dennis R.A. Mans, Adriana Brondani da Rocha, Gilberto Schwartsmann
2000· The Oncologist256doi:10.1634/theoncologist.5-3-185

Throughout medical history, plant products have been shown to be valuable sources of novel anti-cancer drugs. Examples are the VINCA: alkaloids, the taxanes, and the camptothecins, derived from the Madagscan periwinkle plant Catharantus roseus, the Pacific yew Taxus brevifolia, and the Chinese tree Camptotheca acuminata, respectively. For this reason, the South-American Office for Anti-Cancer Drug Development has implemented a large-scale project of acquisition and testing of compounds isolated from South American medicinal plants. The species are selected on the basis of a potentially useful phytochemical composition by consulting ethnopharmacological, chemosystemic, and ecological information. The collected samples are dried and first extracted with an organic solvent, then with distilled water. These crude extracts are evaluated at a concentration of 50 microg/ml for antiproliferative activity against one cell line. Extracts that significantly inhibit the growth of the cells (>/=50%) at relatively low concentrations (</=50 microg/ml) are submitted to the more comprehensive disease-oriented screen of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. In parallel, these samples are further purified by bioassay-guided purification, involving repeated fractionation by diverse chromatography methods. If the active substance is expected to represent a novel structure, it is identified by appropriate chemical techniques, mechanistic studies are performed with a wide diversity of tumor models and laboratory techniques, and efforts are undertaken for the synthesis of potentially more useful analogs.

Facial asymmetry: a current review
Guilherme Thiesen, Bruno Frazão Gribel, Maria Perpétua Mota Freitas
2015· Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics251doi:10.1590/2177-6709.20.6.110-125.sar

The term "asymmetry" is used to make reference to dissimilarity between homologous elements, altering the balance between structures. Facial asymmetry is common in the overall population and is often presented subclinically. Nevertheless, on occasion, significant facial asymmetry results not only in functional, but also esthetic issues. Under these conditions, its etiology should be carefully investigated in order to achieve an adequate treatment plan. Facial asymmetry assessment comprises patient's first interview, extra- as well as intraoral clinical examination, and supplementary imaging examination. Subsequent asymmetry treatment depends on patient's age, the etiology of the condition and on the degree of disharmony, and might include from asymmetrical orthodontic mechanics to orthognathic surgery. Thus, the present study aims at addressing important aspects to be considered by the orthodontist reaching an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan of facial asymmetry, in addition to reporting treatment of some patients carriers of such challenging disharmony.

Exploring the impact of oral diseases and disorders on quality of life of preschool children
Paulo Floriani Kramer, Carlos Alberto Feldens, Simone Helena Ferreira, Juliane Bervian +2 more
2013· Community Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology248doi:10.1111/cdoe.12035

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of oral health outcomes on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in a school-based sample of Brazilian preschool children and their families. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1036 children aged 2-5 years attending all the public nurseries in Canoas, Brazil. Caregivers were asked to complete questionnaire on socioeconomic status and the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) on their perception of the children's OHRQoL. Clinical assessment included dental caries, traumatic dental injuries (TDI) and malocclusion. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted to assess covariates for the prevalence of impacts on OHRQoL following a theoretical hierarchical framework. RESULTS: 17.4% of the caregivers reported that their child had an impact on at least one ECOHIS item. Negative impacts were more prevalent on items related to pain, difficult drinking and eating some foods. The multivariable Poisson regression analysis showed that dental caries, TDI and malocclusion were associated with the outcome. The prevalence of having any impact on OHRQoL was almost three times higher for children with dental caries (PR 2.74 95% CI 2.02-3.72) compared to those who were caries free; and approximately 1.5 times higher for those who presented TDI (PR 1.70 95% CI 1.27-2.27) and malocclusion (PR 1.42 95% CI 1.04-1.94). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that caregivers of young children with oral disease and disorders perceived that both the children and other family members had poorer quality of life. Oral health policies should be included into general health programs based on common risk approach.

RETRACTED: Effects of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) on the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB signaling pathway in traumatized muscle
Carem Fetter Rizzi, José L. Mauriz, Daniela Sousa Freitas Corrêa, Andréa Janz Moreira +4 more
2006· Lasers in Surgery and Medicine236doi:10.1002/lsm.20371

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in an experimental model of muscle trauma. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Injury to the gastrocnemius muscle in the rat was produced by a single impact blunt trauma. A low-level galium arsenide (Ga-As) laser (904 nm, 45 mW, and 5 J/cm2) was applied for 35 seconds duration, continuously. RESULTS: Histological abnormalities with increase in collagen concentration, and oxidative stress were observed after trauma. This was accompanied by activation of NF-kappaB and upregulation of iNOS expression, whereas protein concentration of I kappa B alpha decreased. These effects were blocked by LLLT. CONCLUSION: LLLT reduced the inflammatory response induced by trauma and was able to block the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and the activation of NF-kappaB. The associated reduction of iNOS overexpression and collagen production suggest that the NF-kappaB pathway may be a signaling route involved in the pathogenesis of muscle trauma.

Biodiesel from Castor Oil:  A Comparison of Ethanolysis versus Methanolysis
Simoni Margareti Plentz Meneghetti, Mário R. Meneghetti, Carlos Rodolfo Wolf, Eid C. Silva +4 more
2006· Energy & Fuels234doi:10.1021/ef060118m

The transesterification reactions of castor oil with ethanol and methanol as transesterification agents were studied in the presence of several classical catalytic systems. The effects of the nature of the alcohol and catalyst on the yields of monoalkyl fatty acid esters were evaluated. The results indicate that biodiesel can be obtained by transesterification of castor oil using either ethanol or methanol as the transesterification agent. Similar yields of fatty acid esters may be obtained following ethanolysis or methanolysis; however, the reaction times required to attain them are very different, with methanolysis being much more rapid.

Dissolution of pulp tissue by aqueous solution of chlorhexidine digluconate and chlorhexidine digluconate gel
Liyoko Okino, Evandro Luiz Siqueira, Marcelo dos Santos, Antônio Carlos Bombana +1 more
2004· International Endodontic Journal218doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.2004.00749.x

AIM: To evaluate the activity of various root canal irrigants on bovine pulp tissue. METHODOLOGY: The irrigants tested were: 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; 2% aqueous solution of chlorhexidine digluconate; 2% chlorhexidine digluconate gel (Natrosol); and distilled water as control. Bovine pulp fragments were weighed and placed in contact with 20 mL of each tested substance in a centrifuge at 150 r.p.m. until total dissolution. Dissolution speed was calculated by dividing pulp weight by dissolution time. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Distilled water and both solutions of chlorhexidine did not dissolve the pulp tissue within 6 h. Mean dissolution speeds for 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solutions were 0.31, 0.43 and 0.55 mg min(-1), respectively. The solvent ability of chlorhexidine solutions was similar to that of distilled water. The results for sodium hypochlorite solutions, chlorhexidine solutions and distilled water were statistically different (P>0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both chlorhexidine preparations and distilled water were not able to dissolve pulp tissue. All sodium hypochlorite solutions were efficient in dissolving pulp tissue; the dissolution speed varied with the concentration of the solution.

Aggregation of features of the metabolic syndrome is associated with increased prevalence of chronic complications in Type 2 diabetes
Luciana A. Costa, Luís Henrique Santos Canani, Hugo Lisboa, Glaucia S. Tres +1 more
2004· Diabetic Medicine203doi:10.1111/j.1464-5491.2004.01124.x

AIMS: To investigate the association of features of the metabolic syndrome with the prevalence of chronic complications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 548 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in the presence of at least two of the following: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, and microalbuminuria. RESULTS: Patients with the metabolic syndrome (85%) had a higher prevalence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (35% vs. 18%), retinopathy (44% vs. 20%), distal sensory neuropathy (DSN) (44% vs. 24%), micro- and macroalbuminuria (38% vs. 28%) and coronary artery disease (CAD) (53% vs. 36%). The more metabolic syndrome features (none/one, two, three or four), the higher the proportion of diabetes complications: PVD 18%, 31%, 37% and 38%; stroke 1.0%, 4.5%, 5.9% and 11.3%; retinopathy 20%, 38%, 42% and 64%; DSN 24%, 32%, 49% and 57%; micro- and macroalbuminuria 28%, 36% and 41%; and CAD 36%, 44%, 52% and 60% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome and the aggregation of its components were significantly associated with macro- and microvascular complications in Type 2 DM patients.

Early Feeding Practices and Severe Early Childhood Caries in Four-Year-Old Children from Southern Brazil: A Birth Cohort Study
Carlos Alberto Feldens, Elsa Regina Justo Giugliani, Álvaro Vigo, Márcia Regina Vítolo
2010· Caries Research199doi:10.1159/000319898

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between feeding practices in the first year of life and the occurrence of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) at 4 years of age. A birth cohort study (n = 500) was conducted in children who were born within the public health system in São Leopoldo, Brazil. Feeding practices were assessed using standardized methods at 6 and 12 months of age. A total of 340 children were examined at 4 years of age. S-ECC was defined as recommended by an expert panel for research purposes: ≥1 cavitated, missing or filled smooth surfaces in primary maxillary anterior teeth or d(1+) mfs ≥5. Poisson regression with robust variance was used in order to determine the early feeding practices which represent risk factors for the occurrence of S-ECC at 4 years of age. The multivariable model showed a higher adjusted risk of S-ECC for the following dietary practices at 12 months: breastfeeding ≥7 times daily (RR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.45-2.68), high density of sugar (RR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.08-1.89), bottle use for liquids other than milk (RR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.08-1.86), as well as number of meals and snacks >8 (RR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.02-1.97). Mother's education ≤8 years was also associated with the outcome. The present study identified early feeding practices which represent risk factors for caries severity in subsequent years. These findings may contribute to developing general and oral health interventions, with special attention to families with low maternal education.

Periodontal Attachment Loss in an Urban Population of Brazilian Adults: Effect of Demographic, Behavioral, and Environmental Risk Indicators
Cristiano Susin, Caroline Formolo Dalla Vecchia, Rui Vicente Oppermann, Ola Haugejorden +1 more
2004· Journal of Periodontology198doi:10.1902/jop.2004.75.7.1033

BACKGROUND: There is little information about the occurrence and risk factors of periodontal diseases in developing countries. This study describes the clinical attachment loss (CAL) in an adult Brazilian population and performs a risk assessment of demographic, behavioral, and environmental exposures. METHODS: A representative sample of 853 dentate individuals (age: 30 to 103 years) was selected by a multistage probability sampling method. The subjects had a full-mouth clinical examination of six sites per tooth and were interviewed using a structured written questionnaire. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent (79%) and 52% of the subjects and 36% and 16% of the teeth per subject had CAL > or = 5 and > or = 7 mm, respectively. A multivariable model showed that 40 to 49 and > or = 50 years olds had 3.0 and 5.9 times higher risk for moderate CAL and 7.4 and 25.4 times higher risk for severe CAL, compared to the 30 to 39 years olds. Moderate cigarette smokers had a significantly higher risk for moderate (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 2.1) and severe CAL (RRR = 3.4), and heavy smokers had a higher risk for moderate (RRR = 3.0) and severe CAL (RRR = 8.2) compared to non-smokers. A significantly higher risk for severe CAL was also present in males (RRR = 1.6), subjects with low (RRR = 1.8) or medium socioeconomic status (RRR = 1.6), and those with a history of irregular dental visits (RRR = 2.1). Diabetic status and race did not show significant associations with CAL after adjusting for other effects. CONCLUSIONS: This Brazilian population had a high occurrence of attachment loss. A population-based strategy that includes the establishment of prevention and health promotion programs targeting high-risk groups is highly desirable for controlling the high occurrence of attachment loss in this population.