Impact of Smoking on Salivary Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Young Adults: A Comparative Analysis between Traditional Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Heat-Not-Burn Products.

BACKGROUND Smoking nicotine is considered to be one of the most harmful addictions, leading to the development of a number of health complications, including many pathologies in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of smoking traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn products on profiles of salivary lipids and lipid peroxidation products in the unstimulated and stimulated saliva of healthy young adults with a smoking habit of up to 3 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 3 groups of 25 smoking patients each and a control group matched for age, gender, and oral status. In saliva collected from patients from the study groups and participants from the control group, the concentrations of sphingolipids: sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, ceramides, and salivary lipid peroxidation products - malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) - were measured. The normality of distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. For comparison of the results, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey test was used. RESULTS We demonstrated that each type of smoking causes a decrease in the concentration of salivary lipids, and there was an increased concentration of salivary MDA and 4-HNE. CONCLUSIONS Smoking in the initial period of addiction leads to an increase in the concentration of lipid peroxidation products through increased oxidative stress, leading to disturbance of the lipid balance of the oral cavity (eg, due to damage to cell membranes).

Long-Term Chromatic Durability of White Spot Lesions through Employment of Infiltration Resin Treatment.

Background and Objectives: White spot lesions (WSLs) denote regions of subsurface demineralization on the enamel that manifest as opaque and milky-white regions. Treatment for WSLs is essential for both clinical and aesthetic reasons. Resin infiltration has been identified as the most efficacious solution for alleviating WSLs, but studies with long-term monitoring are scarce. The aim of this clinical study is to assess the color change stability of the lesion after four years of implementing the resin infiltration technique. Materials and Methods: Forty non-cavity and unrestored white spot lesions (WSLs) were treated with the resin infiltration technique. The color of the WSLs and adjacent healthy enamel (SAE) was assessed using a spectrophotometer at T0 (baseline), T1 (after treatment), T2 (1 year after) and T3 (4 years after). The Wilcoxon test was utilized to determine the significance of the variation of color (ΔE) between WSLs and SAE over the observed time periods. Results: When comparing the color difference ΔE (WSLs-SAE) at T0-T1, the Wilcoxon test demonstarated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). For ΔE (WSLs-SAE) at T1-T2 and T1-T3, the color variation was not statistically significant (p = 0.305 and p = 0.337). Conclusions: The study's findings indicate that the resin infiltration technique is an effective solution for resolving the appearance of WSLs, and the results have demonstrated stability for a minimum of four years.

The ability of marginal detection using different intraoral scanning systems: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical ability of marginal detection of different intraoral optical scanning (IOS) systems. METHODS: The Ethics Committee of the University of Siena, Italy approved the research project. Thirty patients in need of an onlay/inlay with supra-gingival margins were included and randomly divided in three groups of 10 (3× n=10) according to the IOS for chairside capturing:(A) GC-Europe (Aadva); (B) True-Definition-TD; (C) Trios. A total of 1 scans from each IOS test group (A-C), were obtained clinically and stored as STL-files. In addition, corresponding conventional impressions were taken for all 30 patients, poured with stone, and then processed by a laboratory scanner (Aadva), serving as controls. All 60 STL-files were imported to the Exocad platform for analysis. The horizontal distance between each preparation margin and the adjacent tooth was measured using the ruler tool in the software. The distance at which the detection of the margin started to become visibly unclear was recorded for the horizontal distances. Data was processed statistically by one-way ANOVA (P> 0.05). RESULTS: No statistically significant inter-test group differences could be identified (IOS A-C). The minimum distance from which a clear margin was visible, was 4.5 (SD 0.1) mm for all images, regardless of which IOS was used. Under these experimental clinical conditions, all tested IOS performed similarly. In contrast, all margins of the controls were clearly visible. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: None of the tested intraoral scanning systems in this study were capable of recording a clear impression when the cervical margin for a posterior partial crown was located at a distance of less than 0.5 mm from the interproximal neighbor.

Intravitreal ranibizumab for naive extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab on extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: Eighteen eyes affected by extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration were prospectively enrolled in this study. After an initial intravitreal ranibizumab, all patients were reevaluated monthly over 12 months of follow-up. Further retreatments were performed on a pro re nata basis, depending on detection of any type of fluid on optical coherence tomography and/or the presence of leakage on fluorescein angiography. Primary outcome measures were mean changes in best-corrected visual acuity and the proportion of eyes gaining at least 15 letters (3 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study [ETDRS] lines) at the end of the follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were central macular thickness variations and changes in choroidal neovascularization size. RESULTS: Mean best-corrected visual acuity presented a significant improvement during the follow-up period, being 0.3 ± 0.2 logMAR at baseline and 0.2 ± 0.2 logMAR at the 12-month examination (P < 0.001). An improvement of at least 3 EDTRS lines was achieved by 6 eyes (33.3%), whereas 6 patients (33.3%) gained 1 to 2 lines. The mean central macular thickness at baseline was 314 ± 87 µm, changing to 268 ± 65 µm at the 12-month examination (P = 0.003). The mean lesion size was 1.4 ± 1.4 mm and remained stable throughout the follow-up, being 1.8 ± 2.9 mm at 12 months (P = 0.64). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab administered after a pro re nata regimen with monthly evaluation is a beneficial approach for the management of extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration over 12 months of follow-up. Further studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.

A new Loewia Egger (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Turkey, with taxonomic and nomenclatural remarks on congeners.

The new species Loewia papei sp. nov. from southern Anatolia (Turkey) is described, illustrated and compared with congeners. A brief diagnosis of Loewia Egger is provided and the systematics of the genus are discussed. Loewia nudigena Mesnil, 1972 is fixed as the type species of Fortisia Rondani, 1861 (junior synonym of Loewia). A full list of previously known valid species of Loewia is provided along with information on primary types, type repositories (where known), and type localities. A lectotype is designated for Thrychogena brevifrons Rondani, 1856 (= Loewia brevifrons (Rondani, 1856)).

Comparison of smoking traditional, heat not burn and electronic cigarettes on salivary cytokine, chemokine and growth factor profile in healthy young adults-pilot study.

Objective: Smoking is the cause of numerous oral pathologies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of smoking traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn products on the content of salivary cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in healthy young adults. Design: Three groups of twenty-five smokers each as well as a control group matched in terms of age, gender, and oral status were enrolled in the study. In unstimulated saliva collected from study groups and participants from the control group, the concentrations of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were assessed by Bio-Plex® Multiplex System. Results: We demonstrated that smoking traditional cigarettes is responsible for increasing the level of IFN-γ compared to non-smokers and new smoking devices users in unstimulated saliva in the initial period of addiction. Furthermore, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products appear to have a similar mechanism of affecting the immune response system of unstimulated saliva, leading to inhibition of the local inflammatory response in the oral cavity. Conclusion: Smoking traditional cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products is responsible for changes of the local immune response in saliva. Further research is necessary to fill the gap in knowledge on the effect of new smoking devices on the oral cavity immune system.

Outcomes of 195 consecutive patients undergoing 2-port pars plana vitrectomy with slit-lamp illumination system for posterior segment disease: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2-port 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with a slit-lamp illumination system in different vitreoretinal pathologies. DESIGN: : Retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five consecutive eyes of 195 patients underwent 20-gauge 2-port pars plana vitrectomy with a combination of slit-lamp illumination and a plano-concave contact lens, at the San Paolo Ophthalmology Center, from September 2005 through November 2007. Postoperative visual acuity at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months; intraoperative and postoperative complication rate; and surgical time were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients completed 6 months of follow-up. The mean overall visual acuity was 0.74 ± 0.03 (mean ± SD) at baseline, improving to 0.56 ± 0.03 (P < 0.0001), 0.48 ± 0.03 (P < 0.0001), and 0.43 ± 0.03 (P < 0.0001) at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperative complications included retinal detachment in three patients, epiretinal membrane recurrence in three eyes, persistent macular hole in four eyes, and phthisis in one eye. Cataract formation was observed in 25 eyes. The total mean surgical time was 28.3 ± 10.1 minutes. No one had hypotony after the surgical procedure, and no cases of endophthalmitis were observed. Conversion to standard three-port vitrectomy was not necessary in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: Two-port 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with slit-lamp illumination is a safe and effective procedure for posterior segment surgeries.

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on testosterone levels in vitro and in vivo after an acute bout of resistance exercise.

The purposes of the present study were to investigate the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on testosterone levels in vitro on a cell line derived from Leydig cells (R2C) and in vivo in the blood of physically active subjects before and after a resistance exercise bout. In vitro R2C cells were treated with different CLA concentrations (0-30 µM) for 24 and 48 hours. After treatment, supernatant media were tested to determine testosterone secretion. The CLA increased the testosterone secretion only after 48 hours. In vivo, 10 resistance-trained male subjects, in a double-blind placebo-controlled and crossover study design were randomized for 3 weeks of either 6 g·d⁻¹ CLA or placebo. Blood was drawn pre and post each resistance exercise bout to determine the total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. No significant differences were observed for total testosterone or SHBG pre and post each resistance exercise bout; although after the resistance exercise bouts, total testosterone increased moderately (effect size = moderate), whereas after CLA supplementation, there was a large increase in total testosterone (effect size = large). CLA supplementation induced an increase in testosterone levels in Leydig cells in vitro after 48 hours but not in vivo before and after a resistance exercise bout. These findings suggest that CLA supplementation may promote testosterone synthesis through a molecular pathway that should be investigated in the future, although this effect did not have an anabolic relevance in our in vivo model.

Does Low-Taper Root Canal Shaping Decrease the Risk of Root Fracture? A Systematic Review.

Minimal root-canal preparation has been suggested to reduce the risk of root fracture, but as a result, satisfactory cleaning and shaping do not take place. Large-scale taper instrumentation can contribute to removing infected tissue; however, it may weaken the tooth structure. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate whether root-canal shaping with low-taper instruments decreases the risk of root fracture, compared to high-conicity shaping. A search was performed on Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were: studies comparing the root fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth, shaped with low- and high-conicity taper instruments, in human trials, and via in vitro study. The review includes all types of endodontically treated teeth, with various instrument tapers. The scientific search engines produced 328 results. Only 20 of the results were evaluated after screening. Based on the articles analyzed, it is not clear whether a taper difference can determine differences in root fracture resistance. No randomized controlled trial (RCTs) with long follow-ups have been published to date. It must also be taken into account that the in vitro studies do not consider the numerous differences that there are between in vitro and clinical evaluation. The review was registered on the PROSPERO website, with the protocol number CRD42020151451.

A new software architecture proposal for an evidence-based Decision Support System in dentistry.

BACKGROUND: in dentistry, clinical problems could be resolved using many therapeutic approaches that may results in very different therapies. In order to choose the best option, a good evaluation of therapy long-term survival and success rate is mandatory. The routine use of a decision support analysis software is nowadays limited due to the lack of software's flexibility especially when a variety of possible therapeutic option are present. The aim of this research was to develop a new algorithm model for a Decision Support System software to give diagnosis support in dentistry. METHODS: Beta tests were designed to study the computer software in different clinical situations based on clinical data. The therapeutic options can be conservative/endodontic or extractive/prosthetic therapies. In two of clinical situation selected could be possible to choose both therapies. RESULTS: in clinical situations tested, the DDS software correctly identified the several therapeutic options. When multiple treatments were possible the beta test showed an output mask that correctly showed a range of options with their corresponding survival and success rate. CONCLUSIONS: The software architecture proposed by the authors is technically feasible, can support the clinician choices based on scientific evidence and up-to-date references and gain informed consent based on data easily understandable for the patient.

Outcome of cataract surgery in children affected by malignancies other than retinoblastoma with eye-lens radiation exposure.

PURPOSE: To describe, retrospectively, the visual outcome, feasibility, and safety of cataract surgery in a pediatric population affected by iatrogenic cataract, secondary to systemic oncological treatment for malignancies other than retinoblastoma. METHODS: Young patients, affected by radiation-induced cataract, who were referred to the San Paolo Ophthalmic Center in Padova between 2010 and 2017, were included in the study. All patients had previously received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy treatment for malignancies, between 2004 and 2013. All medical records of infants who underwent cataract surgery were accurately reviewed. RESULTS: Eighteen eyes out of 11 patients included in the study underwent cataract surgery. The mean age at surgery was 9.7 ± 3.6 years. The interval between tumor diagnosis and cataract development was around 3 years. Mean follow-up after surgery was 15.4 ± 6.3 months. All eyes underwent posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, posterior capsulotomy, and anterior vitrectomy in one time surgery. No intraoperative complications were shown. Post-operatively, only one eye received laser capsulotomy due to posterior capsule opacification. At the end of follow up, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 (LogMAR 0) in all eyes and significantly improved (p < 0.01) compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic-cataract surgery in pediatric oncological patients is a safe and effective way to improve visual acuity. Posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy at the time of surgery reduce the rate of posterior lens opacification and guarantee an excellent visual acuity in these patients.

Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Endocrown Biomechanical Response According to Different Pulp Chamber Extension Angles and Filling Materials.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of pulp chamber extension angles and filling material mechanical properties on the biomechanical response of a ceramic endocrown. A 3D model of maxillary molar that underwent endodontically treatment was exported to computer aided design software to conduct finite element analysis (FEA). The endocrown model was modified considering different pulp chamber extension angles (right angle; 6°, 12° and 18° of axial divergence). The solids were imported into the computer aided engineering software in Standard for the Exchange of Product Data (STEP) format. Nine different filling materials were simulated to seal the orifice of the root canal system under each endocrown restoration (resin composite, bulk-fill resin composite, alkasite, flowable resin composite, glass ionomer cement, autocured resin-reinforced glass ionomer cement, resin cement, bulk-fill flowable resin composite, zinc oxide cement), totaling 36 models. An axial load (300 N) was applied at the occlusal surface. Results were determined by colorimetric graphs of von-Misses stress (VMS) and Maximum Principal Stress (MPS) on tooth, cement layer, and endocrown restorations. VMS distribution showed a similar pattern between the models, with more stress at the load region for the right-angled endocrowns. The MPS showed that the endocrown intaglio surface and cement layer showed different mechanical responses with different filing materials and pulp chamber angles. The stress peaks plotted in the dispersion plot showed that the filling material stiffness is proportional to the stress magnitude in the endocrown, cement layer and tooth adhesive surface. In addition, the higher the pulp chamber preparation angle, the higher the stress peak in the restoration and tooth, and the lower the stress in the cement layer. Therefore, 6° and 12° pulp chamber angles showed more promising balance between the stresses of the adhesive interface structures. Under the conditions of this study, rigid filling materials were avoided to seal the orifice of root canal system when an endocrown restoration was planned as rehabilitation. In addition, the pulp chamber axial walls were prepared between 6° and 12° of divergence to balance the stress magnitude in the adhesive interface for this treatment modality.

Arthrocentesis and Sodium Hyaluronate Infiltration in Temporomandibular Disorders Treatment. Clinical and MRI Evaluation.

Arthrocentesis in temporomandibular joint disorders can be associated with the intra-articular infiltration of various drugs with the objective of increase treatment efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical indexes variation in patients affected by temporomandibular joint disorders treated with arthrocentesis and sodium hyaluronate (SH) injections. A total of 28 patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders underwent one cycle of five arthrocentesis and infiltrations of sodium hyaluronate. Spontaneous mouth opening improved from 36.3 ± 7.5 mm to 45.1 ± 1.9 mm at six months follow-up. A significant reduction in the pain at rest and during mastication mean values emerged at follow-up (p < 0.0001). The mean masticatory efficiency, evaluated through a visual analogic scale, showed improvement at the follow-up period, highlighted by the increase of mean value from a baseline of 3.1 ± 1.2 to a mean value of 8.5 ± 1.2 (p < 0.0001). The mean severity of the joint damage at baseline time was 2.4 ± 0.9 and decreased to 0.4 ± 0.3 at the end of the follow-up period. The decrease in values is confirmed by statistical test (p < 0.05). Our data show how arthrocentesis integrated with sodium hyaluronate infiltrations performed under local anesthesia is a valid method of treating temporomandibular joint disorders.

Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Enamel Color Variation Using Infiltration Resin Treatment of White Spot Lesions at One Year Follow-Up.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the color changes and the stability at a 1-year follow-up of white spot lesions (WSLs) treated with an infiltrating technique by using etching and TEGDMA resin. The color of 22 white spot lesions and the sound adjacent enamel (SAE) were assessed with a spectrophotometer at T0 (baseline), T1 (after treatment), and T2 (1 year after). The color change ΔE (WSLs-SAE) at T0 vs. T1 were compared to evaluate the camouflage effect efficiency, and at T1 vs. T2 to assess the stability of outcomes. To evaluate the effect on the treatment outcome of gender, the presence or not of previous orthodontic treatment, WSLs onset more/less than 10 years, the age of the patient, and the ΔE WSL (T0 vs. T1) was analyzed. The difference between ΔE (WSLs-SAE) at T0 and T1 resulted in statistical significance (p < 0.01). No statistical difference was found between ΔE (WSLs-SAE) at T1 vs. T2. The variables considered showed no statistical differences in treatment outcomes. The results of our investigation show that the technique used is immediately effective and the camouflage effect keeps up and steady one year after treatment. Such results do not appear to be influenced by analyzed clinical variables.

Prevalence of diabetes and diabetic macular edema in patients undergoing senile cataract surgery in Italy: The DIabetes and CATaract study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of diabetes and diabetic macular edema in patients undergoing senile cataract surgery in Italy. METHODS: It is a prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study. Thirteen ophthalmic units equally distributed across the Italian territory have been involved in the study. For a period of 3 months, all subjects undergoing phacoemulsification received an Optical Coherence Tompgraphy (OCT) scan and were screened for the anamnestic presence of diabetes. In addition, five selected units collected blood samples from all their patients to measure glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and detect the presence of occult diabetes (HbA1c > 6.5%). In diabetic patients, levels of retinopathy were measured and diabetic macular edema was considered significant (clinically significant macular edema) when foveal thickness was above 30% of normal levels. RESULTS: A total number of 3657 subjects have been screened. Among them, 20.4% were diabetics. Prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in males (24.7%) than in females (17%). Levels of HbA1c were tested in a representative sample of 1216 consecutive subjects, and occult diabetes was diagnosed in 4.8% of cases. No significant differences were observed between age groups or different geographic areas. Among diabetic patients, diabetic macular edema of any kind was present in 27.5% (clinically significant macular edema (6.6%)). No significant differences were seen in the prevalence of diabetic macular edema between males and females or between age groups. Among the 745 diabetic patients, no signs of retinopathy were seen in 537 subjects (76.3%), while 101 patients (14.3%) had nonproliferative retinopathy, 13 (1.7%) had nontreated proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and 53 (7.5%) had laser-treated retinopathy. In the entire sample of 3657 subjects, a normal macula was present in 90.9% of cases, diabetic macular edema of any kind in 5.4%, and other maculopathies in 3.4%. CONCLUSION: In this large cohort study on patients undergoing cataract surgery, more than one-fourth were diabetics and more than one-fourth of these had diabetic macular edema. These high prevalences suggest the opportunity to plan an adequate preoperative assessment in all patients in order to reduce the risk of postoperative development or worsening of a sight-threatening complication such as chronic diabetic macular edema.

Changes in inflammatory mediators in peri-implant fluid after implant insertion.

BACKGROUND: Endosseous dental titanium implants have revolutionized restorative dentistry and have made a significant impact on improved patient care. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the influence of the placement technique on periodontal health. METHODS: A baseline examination was performed in patients with submerged and non-submerged titanium implants, including an evaluation of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bone level, as well as histamine and arachidonic acid metabolite concentrations, in the peri-implant crevicular fluid. Examinations were repeated after 12, 24, and 36 months. RESULTS: Bone loss was significantly higher in the submerged group relative to the non-submerged group at 3 years (P <0.01), with a slight increase at 24 months. All clinical parameters were significantly higher in the submerged group relative to the non-submerged group at 24 and 36 months (P <0.05 for PI; P <0.01 for GI, PD, and CAL). The mean levels of histamine and other inflammatory mediators were significantly higher, whereas 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid concentrations were significantly reduced in the submerged group, with a high correlation with periodontal indices at 24 and 36 months (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: This longitudinal study suggested that submerged implants present a number of risks for periodontal complications compared to non-submerged implants, which can be evidenced by inflammatory mediator variations in the peri-implant crevicular fluid.

Single-session photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal bevacizumab for retinal angiomatous proliferation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of single-session photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) in age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: In this pilot study, eight patients with RAP underwent indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-guided single-session verteporfin PDT followed by intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) within a 0-day +/- 1-day interval. All patients were naïve to treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography, ICGA, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and at each follow-up visit. All patients received three consecutive monthly IVB injections; thereafter, retreatment with bevacizumab was performed in the case of worsening BCVA or a deterioration of angiographic or OCT findings. RESULTS: All patients had 9 months of follow-up. Complete resolution of angiographic leakage was achieved in all eyes at 9 months. A significant improvement in the mean BCVA was observed at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months after combined treatment (P = 0.004). Visual acuity improved in 62.5% and was stable in 37.5% of cases. No patients had a decrease in BCVA of three or more lines during follow-up. Mean central macular thickness was significantly reduced in all patients (P < 0.0001) as controlled at 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month intervals from initial treatment. The mean number of injections for the 9 months were 3.2 +/- 0.4. No ocular complications or systemic events developed. CONCLUSION: Sequenced combined treatment with single-session PDT and IVB injections may be useful in treating RAP, reducing or eliminating retinal edema, and improving or stabilizing visual acuity. Further investigations are warranted to outline the appropriate treatment paradigm for combination therapy.

Correlation of s-IgA and IL-6 Salivary with Caries Disease and Oral Hygiene Parameters in Children.

This study evaluates salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in saliva of children and its correlation to tooth decay severity. Fifty-nine patients were divided into two groups: caries free (A group) and caries active (B group). B group was investigated according to Mount and Monse indices. Mean salivary IgA rate between two groups (A 16.7 ± 4.5 mg/dL vs. B 21.8 ± 12.9 mg/dL) was not significant, while IL-6 rate (A 19.02 ± 5.3 pg/mL vs. B 30.2 ± 11.8 pg/mL) was statistically different. This study revealed that salivary IL-6 levels were significantly higher in children with active caries when compared with the caries-free group, while the s-IgA rate showed no significant differences between the two groups.

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of a Hollow Endodontic Post by Three Point Test and SEM Analysis: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of a fiber hollow endodontic post characterized by the presence of an empty central cylindrical channel extended along the whole length. This particular shape allows clinicians to use the post also as a cementation resin carrier. Ten hollow posts were divided in two groups: the control group (unfilled hollow posts) (Group 0) and hollow posts filled with dual resin cement (Group 1). The samples of both groups were subjected to mechanical and micromorphological analysis by performing a three-point test and SEM observations. In the three-point test, the Group 1 samples exhibited a fracture load of 57.09 ± 5.06 N, a flexural strength of 1323.53 ± 110.09 MPa, and a Young's modulus of 42.87 ± 0.86 GPa. The samples of Group 2 exhibited a fracture load of 38.17 ± 1.7 N, a flexural strength of 908.87 ± 30.98 MPa, and a Young's modulus of 40.33 ± 1.9 GPa. The difference between fracture load, flexural strength, and deflection between the two groups was statistically highly significant (p < 0.01). Further, the difference between the Young's modulus of the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The values obtained are similar to those of other posts available on the market.

Rapid response to dexamethasone intravitreal implant in diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early effects of dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implants in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: This was a prospective, single-arm, interventional clinical series. Eighteen patients (18 eyes) with chronic/recalcitrant or naive DME were included. Patients underwent single DEX intravitreal implant. Clinical assessments, including ophthalmologic examination, central retinal thickness (CRT) measurement by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were carried out at baseline, 1-3 hours, and then 3, 7, and 30 days after treatment. The main outcome was change in CRT on SD-OCT, while secondary outcome measures included visual acuity (VA) and changes in IOP following implant. RESULTS: Mean CRT significantly decreased from 565 ± 171 µm at baseline to 310 ± 89 µm at end of follow-up (p<0.001), with reduction becoming evident 1-3 hours after injection. Mean BCVA also significantly improved 7 days and 30 days after treatment up to 0.14 logMAR (p<0.05). All patients had a controlled IOP after the injection with only 1/18 eyes having a transient increase in IOP during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing very early effects of DEX implants on CRT reduction and VA improvement in DME.