Browsing by Author "Lopes, Pedro Campos"
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- Gingipains as a virulence factor in the oral cavityPublication . Lopes, Pedro Campos; Barros, Marlene; Correia, Maria JoséAim: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the molecular action of Porphyromonas gingivalis cysteine proteases such as gingipains (R1, R2 and K) upon human molecules. Materials and methods: Using the information on protein structure and function available in international databases (UniProtKB and Merops Database), the molecular interactions already described between gingipains and host molecules were clarified. Results: Possible cleavage sites were identified in host-produced elastase inhibitors and in pro-Matrix MetalloProteinase (MMP)1. Analysis of the results leads to the suggestion that the elastase inhibitor alpha1-antitrypsin is also degraded by interpain A, a cystein protease of Prevotella intermedia sharing a high homology with the PrtT and periodontain of P. gingivalis. Conclusion: The information obtained suggests a synergistic molecular mechanism by which cysteine proteases of different bacteria can be responsible for the clinical manifestations of periodontal disease, and illustrates the use of bioinformatics to establish and predict molecular mechanisms.
- Oral health strategies: surveying the present to plan the future of community-based learningPublication . Veiga, Nélio Jorge; Couto, Patrícia; Correia, Patrícia; Mello-Moura, Anna Carolina Volpi; Lopes, Pedro Campos; Correia, Maria JoséIntroduction: Oral health literacy relates to the capacity of individuals to acquire, understand and to act upon oral health information to make appropriate health decisions. This scientific review’s main goal is to analyze the strategies that improve oral health literacy within the community, specifically oriented to a community-based learning model focused on the most vulnerable risk groups in society. Materials and Methods: The current review is based on the literature on oral health literacy within community-based learning strategies. The present review selected scientific studies by searching MEDLINE and related databases, such as Web of Science and PUBMED, and by consulting existing bibliographies. Results: Based on the application of the inclusion criteria to the abstracts, 45 publications were retrieved which explicitly dealt with the definitions of oral health literacy, community-based learning, and service learning. Several studies have demonstrated that health consumers with low health literacy fail to understand the available health information. Therefore, innovative oral health literacy strategies should be undertaken. Service learning is an example of an educational approach where the student learns specific soft skills in the classroom and collaborates directly with an agency or institution and engages in reflection activities to deepen their understanding of what is being taught. Conclusions: One of the main strategies used to incorporate the oral health professional in social responsibility and direct contact in the community is through experiencing community-based learning projects. The future graduate must be an educator capable of educating patients in order to themselves acquire high-level skills in oral health literacy.
- Use of Glass-ionomer cement as a restorative material: a systematic reviewPublication . Panetta, Alessandro; Lopes, Pedro Campos; Novaes, Tatiane Fernandes; Rio, Rute; Mello-Moura, Anna Carolina VolpiBackground: The clinical applications of glass ionomers cements (GICs) are varied: restoration, lining material, sealing, hyper sensibility care and temporary cavity restoration. Due to the lack of physical properties, over time modifications of GICs were experimented and studied by the addition of metals, fibers, ceramics to the GIC powder in the attempt to overcome these problems and improve the material and clinical performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether primary and permanent teeth can be definitively restored with glass ionomer cements, based on the PICO(S) question “What is the clinical performance in primary and permanent teeth restored with glass ionomer cements?”, Methods: A systematic search of the studies available in the literature was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science. Two independent, calibrated examiners. The eligibility criteria were: (1) to be a systematic review (2) to evaluate the clinical longevity of GICs in primary and permanent teeth (3) to be clinical trials. The systematic reviews that met these criteria were reviewed in their entirety and those who presented at least one of the following exclusion criteria were then considered ineligible: (1) not being a systematic review of clinical trials; (2) not evaluating the longevity/clinical performance of GICs; (3) studies of dental restorative materials in teeth with enamel alterations. Results: A systematic literature search in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases identified 132 references potentially relevant. Twenty-four eligible articles were identified, only 13 articles were included. Methodological quality was measured using the AMSTAR-2 tool and the risk of bias of the included systematic reviews by the ROBIS tool. The level of evidence analysis was performed using the GRADE tool. Conclusions: Glass ionomer cements seems to be a viable choice in both dentitions, but primary dentition presents more evidence, especially regarding the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) technique. There is conflicting evidence on which type of glass ionomer is the best and comparisons to other dental materials are lacking. In conclusion, more high-quality studies are needed with longer follow up periods (>6 years), especially in permanent teeth.