Abstract In Portugal, the chestnut tree is a species used essentially for chestnut production. The chestnut groves are multifunctional ecosystems that provide, besides food, essential ecosystem services (ES). As agents managing these ecosystems, farmers assume an essential role in implementing solutions that valorise the several goods and services that the chestnut groves provide. This study aimed to analyse and understand how these agents perceive the services and disservices associated with the chestnut production activity through an inquiry by questionnaire carried out with 14 producers in the municipality of Sabugal. The sample surveyed is characterised by conventional agriculture, with small and medium-sized farms, with low incomes. The agriculture they practice is perceived as an activity with a positive impact on ES. The main provisioning services perceived provided by the chestnut groves are the Production of Plants for Human Food and the Production of Materials (e.g.wood); in the regulating and supporting services, the majority consider that all of them can be provided; in the cultural services, the Beauty of the Landscape stands out. Farmers' perceptions are essential to guarantee an effective promotion of the services and multifunctionality of the chestnut groves.

Resumo Em Portugal, o castanheiro é uma espécie utilizada essencialmente para a produção de castanha. Os soutos são ecossistemas multifuncionais que providenciam, para além de alimento, importantes serviços de ecossistemas (SE). Os produtores, como agentes que gerem estes ecossistemas, assumem um papel essencial na implementação de soluções que valorizem os diversos bens e serviços que os soutos fornecem. O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em analisar e compreender como estes agentes percecionam os serviços e desserviços associados à atividade de produção de castanha, através de um inquérito por questionário realizado a 14 produtores, no concelho do Sabugal. A amostra inquirida carateriza-se por uma agricultura convencional, com pequenas e médias explorações, de baixos rendimentos. O tipo de agricultura que fazem é percecionada como sendo uma atividade com impacte positivo nos SE. Os principais serviços de aprovisionamento percecionados como fornecidos pelos soutos são a Produção de Plantas para Alimentação Humana e a Produção de Materiais (ex. madeira); nos serviços de regulação e suporte, a maioria considera que todos podem ser fornecidos; nos serviços culturais, destaca-se a Beleza da Paisagem. As perceções dos agricultores são essenciais para garantir uma efetiva promoção dos serviços e multifuncionalidade dos soutos.

Abstract When exposure of the pulp to external environment occurs, reparative dentinogenesis can be induced by direct pulp capping to maintain pulp tissue vitality and function. These clinical situations require the use of materials that induce dentin repair and, subsequently, formation of a mineralized tissue. Objective: This work aims to assess the effect of tricalcium silicate cements and mineral trioxide aggregate cements, including repairing dentin formation and inflammatory reactions over time after pulp exposure in Wistar rats. Methodology: These two biomaterials were compared with positive control groups (open cavity with pulp tissue exposure) and negative control groups (no intervention). The evaluations were performed in three stages; three, seven and twenty-one days, and consisted of an imaging (nuclear medicine) and histological evaluation (H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and Alizarin Red S). Results: The therapeutic effect of these biomaterials was confirmed. Nuclear medicine evaluation demonstrated that the uptake of 99mTc-Hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP) showed no significant differences between the different experimental groups and the control, revealing the non-occurrence of differences in the phosphocalcium metabolism. The histological study demonstrated that in mineral trioxide aggregate therapies, the presence of moderate inflammatory infiltration was found after three days, decreasing during follow-ups. The formation of mineralized tissue was only verified at 21 days of follow-up. The tricalcium silicate therapies demonstrated the presence of a slight inflammatory infiltration on the third day, increasing throughout the follow-up. The formation of mineralized tissue was observed in the seventh follow-up day, increasing over time. Conclusions: The mineral trioxide aggregate (WhiteProRoot®MTA) and tricalcium silicate (Biodentine™) present slight and reversible inflammatory signs in the pulp tissue, with the formation of mineralized tissue. However, the exacerbated induction of mineralized tissue formation with the tricalcium silicate biomaterial may lead to the formation of pulp calcifications

Abstract Objectives Since most of the studies evaluates diabetics on multiple daily injections therapy and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion may help gain better metabolic control and prevent complications, the objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries, the unstimulated salivary flow rate and the total bacteria load, Streptococcus spp. levels and Lactobacillus spp. levels in saliva and supragingival dental biofilm of type 1 diabetics on insulin pump. Material and Methods Sixty patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin pump and 60 nondiabetic individuals were included. The dental caries evaluation was performed using ICDAS and the oral hygiene was assessed according to Greene and Vermillion Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. Unstimulated saliva and supragingival dental biofilm were collected. Total bacteria, Streptococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. was quantified by qPCR. Results Patients with type 1 diabetes had a higher prevalence of dental caries and filled and missing teeth when compared with the control group. These patients were associated with more risk factors for the development of dental caries, namely a lower unstimulated salivary flow rate and a higher bacterial load in saliva and dental biofilm. Conclusion Some risk factors related to dental caries were associated with type 1 diabetics. An early diagnosis combined with the evaluation of the risk profile of the diabetic patient is imperative, allowing the dental caries to be analyzed through a perspective of prevention and the patient to be integrated into an individualized oral health program.

The value of aesthetic dentistry has precipitated several developments in the investigation of dental materials related to this field. The free marketing of these products is a problem and it is subject to various interpretations regarding its legality. There are several techniques for tooth whitening, the most used one being the external bleaching. It is the later version of such technique that poses the greatest danger of ingesting the product. The present study analysed the systemic effect of these products when they are swallowed. Objective This experimental study aimed to observe the effects of a tooth whitening product, whose active agent is 6% hydrogen peroxide, on the gastric mucosa of healthy and non-tumour gastric pathology animals. Material and Methods Fifty Wistar-Han rats were used and then distributed into 5 groups, one for control and four test groups in which the bleaching product was administered in animals with and without non-tumour gastric pathology (induced by the administration of 1 sample of 50% ethanol and 5% of drinking water during 6 days) at different times of study by gavage. There was a decrease in body weight in animals of groups handled during the study period, which was most pronounced in IV and VA groups. Changes in spleen weight relative to body weight revealed no statistically significant changes. An analysis of the frequency was performed on the results of macroscopic observation of the gastric mucosa. Results The gastric mucosa revealed lesions in all manipulated groups, being more frequent in groups III and IV. It appears that there is a synergism when using hydrogen peroxide and 50% ethanol in the same group. Conclusion Therefore, it seems that there are some signs of toxicity 3 to 4 days after administration of 6% hydrogen peroxide. The prescription of these therapies must be controlled by the clinician and the risks must be minimized.