Health research: current challenges and future perspectives 3

José Almeida-Bezerra, Viviane Silva

• Publisher: Atena Editora
• Year: 2024
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9786525826806
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Biostatistics

The book Health research: current challenges and future perspectives 3 addresses various pressing issues in the field of health research. The first chapter reveals that a significant portion of the Brazilian population suffers from oral diseases. However, there is a glaring lack of data regarding individuals with disabilities or special needs who face unique challenges in oral hygiene and access to dental services. This chapter proposes a study to establish a multidisciplinary hospital dental service specifically for these individuals, focusing on physical and financial feasibility. The study, conducted in 2021 and 2022, examined the potential site for implementation and evaluated costs and possible returns using financial research and the Bizagi Modeler® program. The results indicate the service's viability, suggesting it could enhance patient care and increase the hospital's revenue. In Chapter 2, the accuracy of the Willis method for determining occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is scrutinized. This method, long used as a reference in occlusal reconstruction, was evaluated with 32 dentate individuals aged 18 to 50. Measurements were taken using a Willis compass, and the findings indicated discrepancies between the traditional method and actual measurements, particularly as physical structures have evolved over decades. Chapter 3 explores the impact of high-fat diets on immunomediated oral diseases, such as periodontitis and apical periodontitis. Contemporary research indicates that excessive fat intake can trigger systemic inflammatory responses affecting oral health. Chronic inflammation from high-fat diets can lead to elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bone resorption mediators. While significant advancements have been made in understanding periodontitis, gaps remain in apical periodontitis research. Chapter 4 reviews software and hybrid solutions designed to support and rehabilitate older adults. A scoping review based on the Prisma methodology analyzed articles from six major scientific databases published between 2018 and 2023. The analysis revealed that most research in this field originates from Western and Central Europe, China, and parts of South America. The review found that these technological solutions are highly effective in maintaining physical activity among older adults and hold potential for fostering socialization in the digital age. The fifth chapter examines the interrelationship between microbial resistance and biodiversity conservation, emphasizing its implications for global health and environmental sustainability. The chapter discusses the critical role of antimicrobials in modern medicine and the emerging challenges posed by bacterial resistance, including intrinsic and acquired mechanisms like horizontal gene transfer. The chapter advocates for bioprospecting as a strategy to discover new therapeutic agents and argues that biodiversity conservation can combat microbial resistance by offering alternative treatments.