ABSTRACT Objective This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of photobiomodulation for preventing recurrent herpes labialis. Methods Eligibility criteria were defined using the PICOS framework, and only randomized clinical trials were included. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, the Virtual Health Library, and gray-literature sources. Of the records identified, nine reports underwent full-text assessment, and three studies met the eligibility criteria. Results Two trials reported lower recurrence frequencies after photobiomodulation compared to control interventions, while one trial found no […]

ABSTRACT This review synthesizes current evidence on host immune responses to bacteria, their roles in the development and progression of periodontitis, and emerging immunomodulatory therapeutic strategies designed to restore periodontal homeostasis. Periodontitis develops through interactions between a dysbiotic bacterial community that disrupts host–microbe homeostasis and a chronic, maladaptive interaction with the host immune system. Key immune subversion microorganisms such as Porphyromonas gingivalis trigger inflammation while subverting immune surveillance by evading complement-mediated clearance and impairing neutrophil function. This dual behavior creates […]

ABSTRACT Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium recognized as a keystone pathogen in periodontitis. Beyond its established role in periodontal tissue destruction, accumulating evidence links P. gingivalis to several systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on how P. gingivalis may contribute to systemic disease beyond the oral cavity, with particular emphasis on its virulence factors, including gingipains and lipopolysaccharide, and the pathways linking […]

ABSTRACT Objective: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious complication associated with antiresorptive, and antiangiogenic therapies commonly used to treat osteoporosis, malignant bone tumors, and metastatic diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, prevention, and management of MRONJ. Methods: This narrative review examined the prevalence of MRONJ and its clinical and radiological features, particularly those relevant to disease staging, and outlined current preventive and treatment strategies, aiming to improve patient outcomes and […]

ABSTRACT Lactation induction is the process of stimulating milk production when pregnancy has not occurred, but there is still a desire to breastfeed. Initially designed for adoptive mothers and mothers through surrogacy, the protocol does not explore other uses, such as in cases of LGBTQIA+ families, in which breastfeeding may also be a significant symbol in the transition to parenthood. Thus, we seek to explore the complexities of the use of lactation protocols by cisgender women couples who have chosen […]

ABSTRACT Non-B DNA structures represent alternative conformations to the canonical double helix, characterized by unconventional base pairing that diverge from the Watson-Crick model. Among these, the i-motifs, formed in cytosine-rich regions, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential regulatory roles. This review examines the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and stability of i-motifs, which rely on hydrogen bonding between protonated cytosines. These structures can form under slightly acidic and even neutral pH conditions, depending on the DNA sequence context. […]

ABSTRACT This essay examines human enhancement drugs – particularly anabolic-androgenic steroids – through the lens of public health theory from the Global South. It critiques prohibitionist policies, which criminalize users while disregarding social determinants, as well as extreme relativism, which reduces consumption to individual autonomy alone. In contrast, harm reduction emerges as an evidence-based, user-centered approach that rejects criminalization, upholds human rights, and provides contextualized health responses. By reframing anabolic-androgenic steroids as human enhancement drugs, the analysis promotes a less […]

ABSTRACT This essay presents a political-philosophical reflection on the need to reconstruct health practices in order to make them more effective and sensitive in identifying and responding to the needs of diverse individuals and populations. To this end, it draws on the experience of health sector reforms in Brazil and the development of the Brazilian Public Health System, focusing in particular on the relevance of three conceptual constructs associated with this process: comprehensiveness, vulnerability, and care. Inspired by philosophical hermeneutics […]

ABSTRACT Background: Hospital malnutrition has been studied for decades; however, its prevalence remains high, and research in this area is still relevant. Nutritional screening and assessment tools are routinely used in hospital settings. Objective: We aimed to describe and discuss the general characteristics of studies that used nutritional screening and assessment instruments in hospitalized adult populations, with a focus on clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review without meta-analysis. Eligible studies were original prospective or retrospective studies published in […]

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and safety of percutaneous irreversible electroporation combined with immunotherapy compared with irreversible electroporation alone in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: We systematically searched Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed/Medline for relevant studies. The outcomes of interest were progression-free survival, overall survival, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels, and adverse events. Progression-free survival and overall survival were assessed using pooled hazard ratios (HR), odds […]