Abstract Objective To evaluate the influence of RORγT inhibition by digoxin on inflammatory changes related to interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the pulp of rats treated with zoledronate (ZOL). Methodology Forty male Wistar rats were divided into a negative control group (NCG) treated with saline solution, a positive control group (PCG) treated with ZOL (0.20 mg/kg), and three groups treated with ZOL and co-treated with digoxin 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg (DG1, 2, and 4). After four intravenous administrations of ZOL or saline solution in a 70-day protocol, the right molars were evaluated by histomorphometry (number of blood vessels, blood vessels/µm2, cells/µm2, total blood vessel area, and average blood vessel area) and immunohistochemistry (IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β). The Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn test was used for statistical analysis. Results PCG showed an increase in total blood vessel area (p=0.008) and average blood vessel area (p=0.014), and digoxin treatment reversed these changes. DG4 showed a reduction in blood vessels/µm2 (p<0.001). In PCG odontoblasts, there was an increase in IL-17 (p=0.002) and TNF-α (p=0.002) immunostaining, and in DG4, these changes were reversed. Odontoblasts in the digoxin-treated groups also showed an increase in IL-6 immunostaining (p<0.001) and a reduction in TGF-β immunostaining (p=0.002), and all ZOL-treated groups showed an increase in IL-17 (p=0.011) and TNF-α (p=0.017) in non-odontoblasts cells. Conclusion ZOL induces TNF-α- and IL-17-dependent vasodilation and ectasia, and the classical Th17 response activation pathway does not seem to participate in this process.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor on trigeminal ganglion changes and orofacial discomfort/nociception in rats submitted to an experimental model of dental occlusal interference (DOI). Methods: Female Wistar rats (180-200 g) were divided into five groups: a sham group (without DOI) (n=15); and four experimental groups with DOI treated daily with 0.1 mL/kg saline (DOI+SAL), 8, 16, or 32 mg/kg celecoxib (DOI+cel -8, -16, -32) (n=30/group). The animals were euthanized after one, three, and seven days. The bilateral trigeminal ganglia were analyzed histomorphometrically (neuron cell body area) and immunohistochemically (COX-2, nuclear factor-kappa B [NFkB], and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y [PPARy]). A bilateral nociception assay of the masseter muscle was performed. The number of bites/scratches, weight, and grimace scale scores were determined daily. One-way/two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Bonferroni post hoc tests were used (P < .05, GraphPad Prism 5.0). Results: DOI+SAL showed a reduction in neuron cell body area bilaterally, whereas DOI+cel-32 exhibited a significative increase in neuron cell body area compared with DOI+SAL group (P < 0.05). The ipsilateral (P=0.007 and P=0.039) and contralateral (P < 0.001 and P=0.005) overexpression of COX-2 and NFkB and downregulation of PPARy (P=0.016 and P < 0.001) occurred in DOI+SAL, but DOI+cel-32 reverted this alteration. DOI+SAL showed increase in isplateral (P < 0.001) and contralateral (P < 0.001) nociception, an increased number of bites (P=0.010), scratches (P < 0.001), and grimace scores (P=0.032). In the group of DOI+cel-32, these parameters were reduced. Conclusions: Celecoxib attenuated DOI-induced transitory nociception/orofacial discomfort resulting from trigeminal COX-2 overexpression.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has forced dentistry schools (DSs) to adapt their teaching techniques to digital platforms. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate distance classes in the Brazilian DS curriculum. After an online search of higher education institutions (HEIs) with DS on the e-Ministry of Education (MEC) platform, we included institutions with at least one graduated class to extract the age/localization of the DS, funding, number of authorized seats, MEC-grade, ENADE-score, and workload. HEIs’ webpages were consulted to identify the curriculum, subjects offered in the distance education (DE) format, extracurricular programs, scientific events, postgraduate programs, and institutional YouTube channels. Chi-square/Fisher’s tests plus binary logistic regression were performed (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05). Of the 241 DSs evaluated, 82 (34.0%) offered distance classes, and a high prevalence was observed in the southeast region (p <0.001) and private HEIs (p = 0.001). HEIs with distance classes had lower ENADE scores (p = 0.004), lower workload (p = 0.007), and higher workload for optional subjects (p = 0.016), doctoral programs (p = 0.041), specialization courses (p = 0.017), and institutional YouTube channels (p < 0.001). Southern dental schools (p < 0.001), lower workload (p = 0.022), optional subjects (p = 0.033), and institutional YouTube channels (p = 0.005) were independently associated with distance classes. In one-third of the Brazilian DSs, distance classes and institutional YouTube channels were strongly associated variables. The association of distance learning with lower workload and low academic performance draws attention to the need for regulatory bodies for controlling the quality of DE.