Evaluation of Candida albicans Adherence to CAD-CAM Milled, 3D-Printed, and Heat-Cured PMMA Resin and Efficacy of Different Disinfection Techniques: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE: Candida albicans has been regarded as the most predominant oral fungal pathogen and the main cause of denture stomatitis. This study aimed to investigate C. albicans adherence to three types of denture base polymers: heat-cured polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), CAD-CAM milled and 3D-printed. The efficacy of four common disinfection techniques, glutaraldehyde, brushing, microwave irradiation, and Polident overnight tablets, were also examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty blocks of pink acrylic specimens were fabricated from each polymer group. To investigate the C. albicans adherence, as well as the efficacy of different disinfection techniques on removing the yeast from the different materials, specimens were cultured within the fungal culture overnight followed by disinfection. The adhered C. albicans on the materials were then obtained by vortexing in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and the numbers of the yeast in the suspensions were evaluated by measuring the optical density and/or colony-forming units on agar plates. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM (standard error of the mean). Statistical differences were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the post hoc Tukey HSD tests. RESULTS: Significant differences in C. albicans adherence to the three polymers were noted. CAD-CAM milled and heat-cured PMMA showed significantly less C. albicans adherence compared with 3D printed PMMA. No significant difference was noted between milled and heat-cured PMMA. In the disinfection test, microwave irradiation, mechanical brushing, and Polident tablets were found to be effective in removing fungal attachment on the different denture materials, while glutaraldehyde was found to be the least effective. CONCLUSION: C. albicans adherence to the polymers varies greatly based on the types of PMMA. 3D-printed had the highest fungal biofilm attachment. Microwave irradiation, mechanical brushing, and Polident overnight tablets had comparable results in removing C. albicans from all types of PMMA, while glutaraldehyde was not as effective.

A procedure to detect and identify specific chemicals of potential inhalation toxicity concern in aerosols.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the potential inhalation toxicity of poorly characterized aerosols is challenging both because aerosols may contain numerous chemicals and because it is difficult to predict which chemicals may present significant inhalation toxicity concerns at the observed levels. We have developed a novel systematic procedure to address these challenges through non-targeted chemical analysis by two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) and assessment of the results using publicly available toxicity data to prioritize the tentatively identified detected chemicals according to potential inhalation toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The procedure involves non-targeted chemical analysis of aerosol samples utilizing GC × GC-TOFMS, which is selected because it is an effective technique for detecting chemicals in complex samples and assigning tentative identities according to the mass spectra. For data evaluation, existing toxicity data (e.g. from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CompTox Chemicals Dashboard) are used to calculate multiple toxicity metrics that can be compared among the tentatively identified chemicals. These metrics include hazard quotient, incremental lifetime cancer risk, and metrics analogous to hazard quotient that we designated as exposure-(toxicology endpoint) ratios. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We demonstrated the utility of our procedure by detecting, identifying, and prioritizing specific chemicals of potential inhalation toxicity concern in the mainstream smoke generated from the machine-smoking of marijuana blunts. CONCLUSION: By designing a systematic approach for detecting and identifying numerous chemicals in complex aerosol samples and prioritizing the chemicals in relation to different inhalation toxicology endpoints, we have developed an effective approach to elucidate the potential inhalation toxicity of aerosols.

Fabricating a partial nasal prosthesis with a custom nasal dilator design.

Patients undergoing partial rhinectomy with limited size may have the major portion of the nasal structure preserved. However, the fibrosis or scar formation after the surgery may cause distortion of remaining tissues, followed by nasal airway obstruction. By physically expanding an affected nostril during the impression and using digital technology to design a custom flexible internal nasal dilator, embedded in the medical grade silicone during processing, a partial nasal prosthesis with airway-maintaining purpose can be fabricated to improve quality of life both esthetically and functionally.

Using digital technology to create a custom esthetic bandage for patients after rhinectomy.

Patients undergoing partial or total rhinectomy surgeries are left with a lifelong facial defect that poses psychosocial and functional challenges. The extended postoperative healing period after rhinectomy can delay the timely restoration of a patient's nose by definitive prosthesis when conventional impression methods are used. The treatment workflow for fabricating a custom esthetic nasal bandage with the use of digital technology is introduced to avoid the conventional preoperative impression, as well as to allow for immediate delivery at the postoperative follow-up visit.

Effect of organic loading on the microbiota in a temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) system co-digesting dairy manure and waste whey.

Temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) has gained increasing attention because it provides the flexibility to operate digesters under conditions that enhance overall digester performance. However, research on impact of organic overloading rate (OLR) to microbiota of TPAD systems was limited. In this study, we investigated the composition and successions of the microbiota in both the thermophilic and the mesophilic digesters of a laboratory-scale TPAD system co-digesting dairy manure and waste whey before and during organic overloading. The thermophilic and the mesophilic digesters were operated at 50 and 35 °C, respectively, with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 10 days for each digester. High OLR (dairy manure with 5 % total solid and waste whey of ≥60.4 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/l/day) resulted in decrease in pH and in biogas production and accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the thermophilic digester, while the mesophilic digester remained unchanged except a transient increase in biogas production. Both denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and Illumina sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicons showed dramatic change in microbiota composition and profound successions of both bacterial and methanogenic communities. During the overloading, Thermotogae was replaced by Proteobacteria, while Methanobrevibacter and archaeon classified as WCHD3-02 grew in predominance at the expense of Methanoculleus in the thermophilic digester, whereas Methanosarcina dominated the methanogenic community, while Methanobacterium and Methanobrevibacter became less predominant in the mesophilic digester. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that digester temperature and pH were the most influential environmental factors that explained much of the variations of the microbiota in this TPAD system when it was overloaded.

Comparison of the microbial communities in solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) reactors operated at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures.

The microbiomes involved in liquid anaerobic digestion process have been investigated extensively, but the microbiomes underpinning solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) are poorly understood. In this study, microbiome composition and temporal succession in batch SS-AD reactors, operated at mesophilic or thermophilic temperatures, were investigated using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. A greater microbial richness and evenness were found in the mesophilic than in the thermophilic SS-AD reactors. Firmicutes accounted for 60 and 82 % of the total Bacteria in the mesophilic and in the thermophilic SS-AD reactors, respectively. The genus Methanothermobacter dominated the Archaea in the thermophilic SS-AD reactors, while Methanoculleus predominated in the mesophilic SS-AD reactors. Interestingly, the data suggest syntrophic acetate oxidation coupled with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis as an important pathway for biogas production during the thermophilic SS-AD. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that temperature was the most influential factor in shaping the microbiomes in the SS-AD reactors. Thermotogae showed strong positive correlation with operation temperature, while Fibrobacteres, Lentisphaerae, Spirochaetes, and Tenericutes were positively correlated with daily biogas yield. This study provided new insight into the microbiome that drives SS-AD process, and the findings may help advance understanding of the microbiome in SS-AD reactors and the design and operation of SS-AD systems.

The Effect of Restoration Thickness on the Fracture Resistance of 5 mol% Yttria-Containing Zirconia Crowns.

BACKGROUND: To determine what thickness of 5 mol% yttria zirconia (5Y-Z) translucent crowns cemented with different cements and surface treatments would have equivalent fracture resistance as 3 mol% yttria (3Y-Z) crowns. METHODS: The study included 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.2 mm thickness 5Y-Z (Katana UTML) crowns and 0.5 and 1.0 mm thickness 3Y-Z (Katana HT) crowns as controls. The 5Y-Z crowns were divided among three treatment subgroups (n = 10/subgroup): (1) cemented using RMGIC (Rely X Luting Cement), (2) alumina particle-abraded then luted with the same cement, (3) alumina particle-abraded and cemented using a resin cement (Panavia SA Cement Universal). The 3Y-Z controls were alumina particle-abraded then cemented with RMGIC. The specimens were then loaded in compression at 30° until failure. RESULTS: All 5Y-Z crowns (regardless of thickness or surface treatment) had a similar to or higher fracture force than the 0.5 mm 3Y-Z crowns. Only the 1.2 mm 5Y-Z crowns with resin cement showed significantly similar fracture force to the 1 mm 3Y-Z crowns. CONCLUSION: In order to achieve a similar fracture resistance to 0.5 mm 3Y-Z crowns cemented with RMGIC, 5Y-Z crowns may be as thin as 0.8 mm. To achieve a similar fracture resistance to 1.0 mm 3Y-Z crowns cemented with RMGIC, 5Y-Z crowns must be 1.2 mm and bonded with resin cement.

Efficacy of Early Preventive Dental Services in Primary Medical Care Setting: Results From Alabama's 1st Look Program.

Purpose: To evaluate early preventive dental services (PDS) provided by primary care providers (PCPs) in reducing future caries treatments among Alabama Medicaid recipients. Methods: Data from 2009 to 2019 Alabama Medicaid were used to evaluate effectiveness of 1st Look Program on PDS before age three years and incidence of caries treatments after age three years. PDS groups consisted of 1st Look-involved (PDS claims from PCPs), dentist-only (PDS claims from dental providers), and no early fluoride treatment participants (no PDS claims before age three years). Outcomes included frequency and expenditures of fluoride applications, simple restorations, and extensive treatments. Regression models were used to evaluate associations between PDS groups and outcomes while controlling for covariates. Results: Children in 1st Look- involved received more fluoride (3.0 versus 2.1 times; P<0.001) and were applied earlier (12.1 versus 22.9 months old; P<0.001) than dentist-only group. After adjusting for covariates, compared to dentist-only, 1st Look-involved group received earlier fluoride (beta value equals -11.1 months; 95 percent confidence interval [95% CI] equals -11.25 to -10.97) with greater frequency (incident rate ratio equals 1.49; 95% CI equals 1.47 to 1.51). Caries treatment counts were highest in dentist-only followed by 1st Look-involved and no early fluoride treatment groups in both simple restorations (2.7 versus 2.0 versus 0.2 times; P<0.001) and extensive treatments (2.8 versus 2.3 versus 0.2 times; P<0.001), which were consistent after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: PDS were provided earlier by PCPs in Medicaid-qualified children, with reduced caries treatments on primary teeth, compared to PDS by dental providers only.

Implant Site Development Using Titanium Mesh in the Maxilla: A Retrospective Study of 58 Mesh Procedures in 48 Patients.

This article presents a retrospective case series of implant site development using titanium mesh (Ti-mesh) in the maxilla. A total of 58 mesh procedures in combination with several different bone grafts (allograft, cellular allograft, and bovine xenograft) and biologics (including recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, autogenous platelet-rich growth factor, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2) were performed in 48 patients. Ti-mesh guided bone regeneration procedures were performed 2 to 3 months after extraction of nonrestorable/hopeless teeth, and the implants were placed 6 to 8 months postaugmentation. The mean initial ridge width was 2.0 ± 1.0 mm, and the mean horizontal gain after Ti-mesh procedures was 4.7 ± 1.6 mm. The ridge width was first measured on the cross-sectional presurgical CBCT image and then confirmed clinically during surgical procedures. No statistical difference in the horizontal gain was found among different combinations of bone grafts and biomaterials. Ti-mesh exposure occurred 22% of the time. The middle-aged adults (odds ratio [OR] = 8.59; P = .046) and older adults (OR = 16.66; P = .02) had significantly higher chances of mesh exposure compared to young adults. While all implants were successfully placed, about 56% of the implants had < 2 mm of bone to the facial aspect of the osteotomy and received additional contour augmentation when placed in a prosthetically appropriate position for a screw-retained restoration. This study demonstrates that although Ti-mesh procedures result in significant bone regeneration in narrow alveolar ridges to predictably allow implant placement, the age-related mesh exposure rate and frequency of need for additional contour grafting should be discussed with patients.

Impact of different ratios of feedstock to liquid anaerobic digestion effluent on the performance and microbiome of solid-state anaerobic digesters digesting corn stover.

The objective of this study was to understand how the non-microbial factors of L-AD effluent affected the microbiome composition and successions in the SS-AD digesters using both Illumina sequencing and qPCR quantification of major genera of methanogens. The SS-AD digesters started with a feedstock/total effluent (F/Et) ratio 2.2 (half of the effluent was autoclaved) performed stably, while the SS-AD digesters started with a 4.4 F/Et ratio (no autoclaved effluent) suffered from digester acidification, accumulation of volatile fatty acids, and ceased biogas production two weeks after startup. Some bacteria and methanogens were affected by non-microbial factors of the L-AD fluent. Alkalinity, the main difference between the two F/Et ratios, may be the crucial factor when SS-AD digesters were started using L-AD effluent.

Spatial and temporal variations of microbial community in a mixed plug-flow loop reactor fed with dairy manure.

Mixed plug-flow loop reactor (MPFLR) has been widely adopted by the US dairy farms to convert cattle manure to biogas. However, the microbiome in MPFLR digesters remains unexplored. In this study, the microbiome in a MPFLR digester operated on a mega-dairy farm was examined thrice over a 2 month period. Within 23 days of retention time, 55-70% of total manure solid was digested. Except for a few minor volatile fatty acids (VFAs), total VFA concentration and pH remained similar along the course of the digester and over time. Metagenomic analysis showed that although with some temporal variations, the bacterial community was rather stable spatially in the digester. The methanogenic community was also stable both spatially and temporally in the digester. Among methanogens, genus Methanosaeta dominated in the digester. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis and metagenomic analysis yielded different relative abundance of individual genera of methanogens, especially for Methanobacterium, which was predominant based on qPCR analysis but undetectable by metagenomics. Collectively, the results showed that only small microbial and chemical gradients existed within the digester, and the digestion process occurred similarly throughout the MPFLR digester. The findings of this study may help improve the operation and design of this type of manure digesters.

Increased gene expression of FOXP1 in patients with autism spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis is useful in discovering differentially expressed genes associated with various diseases, including mental disorders. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of complex childhood-onset neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders characterized by deficits in language development and verbal communication, impaired reciprocal social interaction, and the presence of repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. The study aimed to identify novel genes associated with the pathogenesis of ASD. METHODS: We conducted comparative total gene expression profiling analysis of lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) between 16 male patients with ASD and 16 male control subjects to screen differentially expressed genes associated with ASD. We verified one of the differentially expressed genes, FOXP1, using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in a sample of 83 male patients and 83 male controls that included the initial 16 male patients and male controls, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 252 differentially expressed probe sets representing 202 genes were detected between the two groups, including 89 up- and 113 downregulated genes in the ASD group. RT-qPCR verified significant elevation of the FOXP1 gene transcript of LCL in a sample of 83 male patients (10.46 ± 11.34) compared with 83 male controls (5.17 ± 8.20, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of LCL is useful in discovering novel genetic markers associated with ASD. Elevated gene expression of FOXP1 might contribute to the pathogenesis of ASD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: NCT00494754.

The expression of human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in the human nasal mucosa.

BACKGROUND: LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide, has been discovered to be produced by a number of epithelial cells. It is identified as a key element in the innate host defense mechanism. Because little is known about the expression of LL-37 in human sinonasal tract, we conducted this study to investigate the expression of LL-37 in human nasal mucosa. METHODS: We investigated the expression of LL-37 gene by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and localization of LL-37 peptide by immunohistochemistry in the inferior turbinate mucosa of 7 normal subjects and the nasal polyps of 12 patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis. RESULTS: The transcripts of the LL-37 gene were detected in all human nasal tissues analyzed by RT-PCR. There is a significant increase of LL-37 mRNA expression in nasal polyps as compared with the normal nasal mucosa. Using immunohistochemistry, LL-37 peptide was localized in surface epithelial cells and submucosal glands. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that LL-37 is expressed by nasal mucosa and is upregulated during inflammation.

Expression of human beta-defensin 2 in human nasal mucosa.

Human beta-defensin (HBD)-2, an antimicrobial peptide, has been discovered to be produced by a number of epithelial cells. It is identified as a key element in the innate host defense mechanism. Because little is known about the expression of HBD-2 in the human sinonasal tract, we conducted this study to investigate the expression of the HBD-2 mRNA gene by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and localization of HBD-2 peptide by immunohistochemistry in human nasal inferior turbinates and nasal polyps. RT-PCR showed significantly higher expression of HBD-2 mRNA in nasal polyps than in inferior turbinates. Using immunohistochemistry, HBD-2 peptide was predominantly localized in surface epithelial cells. Thus, it is feasible that HBD-2 is expressed in nasal mucosa and is upregulated in a condition of chronic inflammation.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity evaluation of indolo-, pyrrolo-, and benzofuro-quinolin-2(1H)-ones and 6-anilinoindoloquinoline derivatives.

Certain indolo-, pyrrolo-, and benzofuro-quinolin-2(1H)-ones 4a,b, 6, 8, 16a-c and 6-anilinoindoloquinoline derivatives 10a,b, 11a,b, 12a,b have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro against a 3-cell lines panel consisting of MCF7 (Breast), NCI-H460 (Lung), and SF-268 (CNS). Those active compounds 4a,b, 6, 8, 10a,b, 11a,b, 12a,b were then evaluated in the full panel of 60 human tumor cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types. The results have shown that cytotoxicity decreases in the order of 6-anilinoindoloquinolines>indoloquinolin-2(1H)-ones>pyrroloquinolin-2(1H)-ones>benzofuroquinolin-2(1H)-ones. Among them, 1-[3-(11H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6ylamino)phenyl]ethanone oxime hydrochloride (11a) and its 2-chloro derivative (11b) were most active, with mean GI(50) values of 1.70 and 1.35 microM, respectively. Both compounds 11a,b were also found to inhibit the growth of SNB-75 (CNS cancer cell) with a GI(50) value of less than 0.01 microM, and, therefore, were selected for further evaluation for in vivo antitumor activity.