1,720,994 research outputs found
An improved representation of gait curves ensemble average
No full textThe mean cycle plus/minus one or two standard deviations is widely used to represent the gait patterns of specific populations, as in the case of normality data. While this approach is correct when a wide sample is available, it might produce unreliable patterns when the sample size is reduced, the data distribution is not Gaussian and in presence of outliers. Moreover, it forces the band around the mean value to be symmetric, which can be not realistic when studying populations of patients. An alternative representation is proposed in this work, based on the use of the median curve with gray-scaled percentile bands
Temporomandibular disorders and oral features in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: An observational study of symptoms and signs
Full text linkAims: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease characterized by a wide range of pleomorphic pictures, including mucocutaneous, renal, musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms. It involves oral tissues, with hyposalivation, tooth decay, gingivitis, angular cheilitis, ulcers and glossitis. Temporomandibular disorders represent a heterogeneous group of inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the stomatognatic system, with algic and/or dysfunctional clinical features involving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related masticatory muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral manifestations and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in SLE patients (Lp) compared with a control group. Methods: Fifty-five patients (9 men and 46 women) with diagnosed Lupus were recruited in the study group. A randomly selected group of 55 patients, matched by sex and age, served as control group. The examination for TMD symptoms and signs was based on the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) through a questionnaire and clinical examination. Results: Lupus patients complained more frequently (95.8%) of oral and TMJ symptoms (dysgeusia, stomatodynia, masticatory muscle pain during function, neck and shoulder muscles pain and presence of tinnitus) but only xerostomia (χ2=4,1548 p=0,0415), temple headache (χ2=4,4542 p=0,035) and the sensation of a stuck jaw (Mid-p-test p=0,043) were significant. About signs, cheilitis (p=0,0284) oral ulcers (χ2=4,0104 p=0,045) and fissured tongue are significantly more frequent in study group. The salivary flow was significantly decreased in the study group respect to the control one (p<0.0001). As regard to the oral kinematics, restricted movements (RM) in protrusion and left lateral movement were significantly different between study group and controls. In particular, 85,2% of Lp showed limited protrusion versus 56,4% of controls (χ2= 10,91 p<0,001); 59,3% of Lp had also a limitation during left lateral movement versus 47,3% of controls (T=2,225 p=0,0282). About bruxism, only the indentations on the lateral edges of the tongue were found in Lp group (72,7%), with a significant difference respect to controls (χ2=7,37 p=0,007). Conclusions: While masticatory muscles have an overlapping behavior in both groups, the findings collected show a more severe TMJ kinematic impairment in Lp than in controls, with protrusion and left lateral movements significantly different. In addition, a remarkable reduction of salivary flow has been detected in Lp compared to controls. In conclusion, this autoimmune disease seems to play a role in oral manifestations and TMJ disorders, causing an increase in orofacial pain and an altered chewing function
A preliminary study about the efficacy of a dental pulp short-term storage protocol in maintaining dental pulp stem cells differentiation potential.
No full text
Surface EMG of jaw elevator muscles: effect of electrode location and inter-electrode distance
No full textNon-invasive assessment of jaw elevator muscle anatomy and implications on the sensitivity of amplitude and spectral surface emg variables to different electrode locations
No full textCondylar long axis and articular eminence in MRI in patients with temporomandibular disorders
No full textObjective: To compare morphologic findings in MRI and skeletal divergence of a group of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) subdivided into condylar symmetric and asymmetric. Methods: Fifty-nine adults (26.7 years old) with TMD were retrospectively recruited. Condylar height symmetry was evaluated by orthopantomography (Habets’s method) and used to divide patients into Symmetric and Asymmetric groups; skeletal divergence was assessed on lateral cephalograms. MRI was used to evaluate the condylar long axis’ angle, the glenoid fossa morphology, and the degree of disc displacement. Results: Asymmetric subjects showed a hyperdivergent skeletal pattern (p = 0.036), asymmetric condylar long axis (p = 0.018), and deeper (p = 0.025) and asymmetric (p = 0.001) glenoid fossa compared to symmetric subjects. Conclusion: Patients with TMD and condylar asymmetry diagnosed with orthopantomography are more likely to show hyperdivergent skull in cephalometry, condylar asymmetry of both height and major axis, and a steeper glenoid fossa in MRI
Adverse effects of the bite-raised condition in animal studies: A systematic review
No full textTo provide a systematic review of the effects of the bite-raised condition in animal models, a widespread technique in modern orthodontics
OBJECTIVE:
To provide a systematic review of the effects of the bite-raised condition in animal models, a widespread technique in modern orthodontics.
DESIGN:
A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Original articles were searched through Pubmed, Cochrane Central database and Embase until December 2018.
RESULTS:
242 articles were identified through database searching. After removing the duplicates, 198 articles were screened by reviewing the abstracts. 27 full text articles were assessed for eligibility and, after 7 exclusions, 20 articles were included in the review process. Studies selected by the review process concerned animal models. Histological, molecular, biochemical and electromyographical studies were evaluated. The results, with a high level of agreement in different animals, showed that the bite-raised condition is a source of stress, inducing increased plasma corticosterone, urinary cortisol and HPA axis alterations; it predisposes the organism to react to subsequent stressful stimulation with a significantly greater incretion of glucocorticoids, thus inducing hypersensitivity to novel forms of stress; it affects the structure of the hippocampus, reducing the number of neurons, increasing the number of glial cells and worsening memory and spatial orientation; it alters the electromyographical activity of masticatory muscles.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results of research conducted on animal models do not necessarily apply directly to human beings. More clinical research, with special attention to adolescent patients, is necessary to clarify whether, in humans, the bite-raised condition is accompanied by adverse effects comparable to those observed in animals
The influence of food hardness on the physiological parameters of mastication: A systematic review
No full textObjective: This systematic review had the purpose to collect existing data concerning the influence of food hardness on mastication in adults. Design: The review was listed with PROSPERO (CRD42017069760) and was directed following with PRISMA and CRD (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York) statement. A database search of articles issued from 1998 up to December 2018 was carried-out using four databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus. The lists of references of the articles selected for the review were read to identify any other relevant studies. The included publications were analysed for level of evidence, study design, sample characteristics, test of mastication, primary outcomes and key results. A quality assessment of the articles included in the review was performed. Results: 1686 articles were found through database searching. The studies that complied with all the inclusion criteria and were considered for the conclusive analysis were 38 and their methodological quality was scored as moderate/low. The findings of the analysed articles were consistent, despite the presence of different methodologies and the lack of a complete control of the bias. They revealed that the majority of the chewing parameters, which were gathered in four groups: 1) number of cycles, 2) sequence duration, 3) muscle activity and 4) coordination and amplitudes and shape of mandibular displacements, increased in the transition from soft to hard food. Conclusions: Hard-diet in adults has an impact on the masticatory function increasing almost all the physiological masticatory parameters, muscle coordination and changes of masticatory side
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