Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of the incidence of COVID-19 and its correlation with the municipal human development index (MHDI) of the municipalities of Ceará. Methods: This is an ecological study with data recovered from the 15^th to the 19^th epidemiological week of the year 2020 using the MHDI and the COVID-19 incidence coefficient for each municipality as variables. The univariate and the bivariate spatial correlation were analyzed using the TerraView and GeoDa software. Results: The incidence of COVID-19 has spatial dependence with moderate positive correlation and the formation of high-high clusters located in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza and municipalities in the North region. The lowest incidence was a low-low cluster in the South and West regions. There was a positive bivariate correlation between MHDI and the incidence of COVID-19 with the formation of a cluster in the metropolitan region of Fortaleza. Conclusion: The uneven mapping of COVID-19 and its relationship with MHDI in Ceará can contribute with actions for the regional fight against the pandemic.

It is essential to maintain the alveolar bone ridge to ensure the success of implant therapy. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) may benefit bone repair, but its quantitative microscopic results are still inconclusive. The aim of this study was to histomorphometrically analyze human dental alveoli after extraction treated with autologous fibrin, biphasic calcium phosphate or sticky bone. The sample consisted of healthy adult volunteer patients, with clinical and tomographic indication for single post-extraction graft of upper premolars for maintenance of the alveolar ridge and subsequent implantation. The 10 remaining patients in the study were divided into three groups according to the type of filling used in the dental socket: autologous PRF plug covered by a PRF membrane (G1), PRF associated with an alloplastic graft based on hydroxyapatite with beta tricalcium phosphate covered by a collagen membrane (G2) or alloplastic graft based on beta tricalcium phosphate covered by collagen membrane (control). After 8 months, bone biopsies were performed at the grafted sites and the patients underwent implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were routinely processed and sectionsfrom different depths were mounted in 3 slides and stained with HE. The histomorphometric evaluation analyzed 30 photomicrographs per block, quantifying the percentage presence of newly formed bone, connective tissue and remaining biomaterial using the ImageJ software. Parametric data enabled intergroup comparisons using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test for multiple comparison with statistical significance of 5% (p0.05). There was a higher mean of newly formed bone in G1 (68.83%) compared to G2 (35.69%) and control (16.28%). There was greater presence of connective tissue in the control (61.56%). Remaining biomaterial was higher in G2 (15.75%), but did not differ statistically from the control. Bone regeneration obtained with PRF alone or sticky bone suggests the efficacy of these therapies, encouraging the clinical use of this blood concentrate in dental procedures.

Objective: to build and validate the appearance of a digital educational technology to promote the mental health of school adolescents. Methods: methodological study, which included the elaboration and validation of the “Conect@dos com a S@ude” online course based on the Galvis-Panqueva methodological framework. The elaboration was based on a literature review and followed the Theory of Meaningful Learning. The validation was performed by a total of 21 adolescent students, using an instrument adapted for the study. A quantitative analysis was performed from the Content Validity Index and descriptive of the suggestions pointed out by the target audience. Results: the analysis of the Content Validity index ranged from 0.8 to 1 in all evaluated items. The adolescents presented some suggestions for improvement for the course, most of them were accepted. Conclusion: the course was validated by the target audience.

Pre-clinical assessments of bone substitute materials are frequent in the literature, but research papers about the clinical situation of bone graft use and consumer market acceptance are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental use of bone grafts according to the perception of dentists in the city of Sobral, Brazil. We interviewed 183 professionals and analyzed their professional data, knowledge of the subject, specific use, and opinions on cost-effectiveness and biosafety. Most of the respondents had 10 years’ or less experience in the profession, and lacked specialization though they had been familiar with the subject since they graduated. The most frequently mentioned compositions were ceramics, followed by composites. Only a quarter of the respondents had performed bone grafts, generally with up to 50 cases, with the most frequent applications being using simultaneously with a dental implant, fresh dental sockets and maxillary sinus lifting. Autogenous and xenogeneic grafts were more frequent than alloplastic and allogeneic; ceramics were the most frequently used composition, and the association of bone graft with membrane was more frequent than bone graft alone or associated with autologous fibrin. Professional and patient satisfaction was high, cost was considered moderate, and differences were found regarding patient participation in the choice and country of origin of the product. Bone grafts were used more often in the private than public service. Dentists stated that they follow the instructions. Inflammatory or infectious complications were found to be related to the frequency of the procedure performed and safety regarding the origin. Opinions were favorable regarding the use of grafts derived from animals and unfavorable to grafts derived from cadavers. Very few respondents were registered in human bone tissue banks. The good level of acceptance for dental use of bone grafts in a Brazilian inland city provides a promising scenario for the development of the sector.

Poultry by-products can contribute as an innovative natural source for the development of composites based on polymers and minerals aiming at bone regeneration. The objective of this study was the physicochemical and biological characterization of collagen-based hydrogels crosslinked with ultraviolet (UV)-riboflavin. Pure hydrogels of 100% collagen (G1) or hybrid hydrogels, 90% collagen:10% apatite (G2), 90% collagen:10% nanokeratin (G3), and 90% collagen:5% apatite:5% nanokeratin (G4) were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, swelling degree and quali-quantitative histological analysis. Ectopic implantation in subcutaneous tissue in mice at one, three and nine weeks allowed to assess the inflammation (neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and giant cells) and repair (neovascularization, and connective tissue) to determine biocompatibility and the integrity of biomaterials to score their biodegradability. Histomorphometry on critical size defects in rat calvaria at one and three months evaluated the percentage of bone, connective tissue, and biomaterials in all groups. The hydrogels presented porous microstructure, water absorption and physicochemical characteristics compatible with their polymeric and/or mineral composition. All materials exhibited biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low osteoconductivity. G2 showed greater density of new bone and biomaterial than the G1, G3 and G4. The collagen-apatite group formulation suggests potential for development as osteopromoting membrane.