Methods in Stroke Prevention in the Wisconsin Native American Population.

Native American individuals are more frequently affected by cerebrovascular diseases including stroke and vascular cognitive decline. The aim of this study was to determine stroke risk factors that are most prevalent in Wisconsin Native Americans and to examine how education at the community and individual level as well as intensive health wellness coaching may influence modification of stroke risk factors. Additionally, we will investigate the role novel stroke biomarkers may play in stroke risk in this population. This paper details the aims and methods employed in the "Stroke Prevention in the Wisconsin Native American Population" (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04382963) study including participant health assessments, clinical ultrasound exam of the carotid arteries, cognitive testing battery, and structure and execution of the coaching program.

Dentists' Perspective and Experiences Relative to the Accidental Dropping of Implant Drivers and Components Intraorally: A Survey of Practicing Clinicians.

Ingestion or aspiration of dental implant screwdrivers or implant components is potentially life-threatening. There are no reports on the frequency at which dentists drop these devices within the mouth or which components are most problematic. There are few reports on what protective measures clinicians take, where risks exist, and how this problem is managed. A 9-part questionnaire was provided to dentists. Data collected included clinicians' roles, implant surgeons, restorative clinicians, or both-the frequency of dropping implant screwdrivers or components, items considered most problematic. Patient protection and management were also requested. Finally, questions related to how much of a problem clinicians considered this to be and if further solutions and a standardized management protocol should be developed. One hundred twelve dentists voluntarily completed the survey. Of the dentists, 54% restored, 37% restored and surgically placed, and 9% solely placed implants. Twenty-nine percent claimed never to drop components, with 56% dropping an instrument less than 10% of the time. Less than half would suggest patients seek medical advice if a screwdriver or component was accidentally dropped intraorally and was not recovered. Thirty percent never tied floss tethers to screwdrivers, and a similar percentage reported they only sometimes did so. Throat pack protection was reported 51% of the time. Ninety percent considered dropping components an issue, with screwdrivers most problematic. Aspiration or ingestion of implant screwdrivers and components is problematic, with dentists varying their use of protection devices. There is a need to standardize and implement patient protection procedures and management and develop methods to reduce the risk of these potentially life-threatening issues.

Retention of titanium copings to implant-supported fixed dental prostheses.

PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the effects of using different cements and titanium copings designs on the retention of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (IFDPs) using a pull-out test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty zirconia (ZirCAD; Ivoclar Vivadent) and 20 prepolymerized denture acrylic resin (AvaDent) rectangular (36 mm × 12 mm × 8 mm) specimens were milled to mimic the lower left segmental portion of the All-on-Four IFDPs. Cylindrical titanium copings (Variobase; Straumann) (V) were used in 2 prepolymerized denture acrylic resin groups (n = 10) while conical titanium copings (Straumann) (C) were used as a control group for zirconia with 4 groups using cylindrical titanium copings. Before cementation, the outer surfaces of all titanium copings and the intaglio bonding surface of prosthetic specimens were airborne-particle abraded. All specimens were cemented following the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions according to the experimental design. After artificial aging (5000 cycles of 5°C 55°C, dwelling time 20 s; 150 N, 1.5 Hz in a 37°C water bath), all specimens were subjected to retention force testing using a pull-out test using a universal testing machine and a custom fixture with a crosshead speed 5 mm/min. Modes of failure were classified as Type 1, 2, or 3. Retention force values were analyzed by the t-test for the prepolymerized denture acrylic resin specimen groups, and 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey test for the zirconia groups at α = 0.05. RESULTS: Mean and standard deviation retention force values varied from 101.1 ± 67.1 to 509.0 ± 65.2 N for the prepolymerized denture acrylic resin specimen groups. The zirconia groups ranged from 572.8 ± 274.7 to 1416.1 ± 258.0 N. There is no statistically significant difference in retention force values between V and C specimens cementing to zirconia with Panavia SA cement (Kuraray Noritake) (p = 0.587). The retention forces and failure modes were influenced by the cement used (p < 0.05). Modes of failure were predominantly Type 2 (mixed failure) and Type 1 (adhesive fracture from prosthetic materials) except for the quick-set resin group (Type 3, adhesive failure from coping). CONCLUSIONS: When bonding IFDPs onto titanium copings, quick-set resin provided significantly higher retention force for prepolymerized denture acrylic resin prostheses. Conical and cylindrical titanium copings performed similarly when cemented to zirconia with Panavia SA cement under the same protocol. The stability of the bonded interface and retention forces between zirconia prostheses and titanium copings varied from the cement used.

Transcranial Color-Coded Doppler Cerebral Hemodynamics Following Aerobic Exercise Training: Outcomes From a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: An active lifestyle with regular exercise is thought to decrease or delay the onset of Alzheimer dementia through increasing blood flow to the brain. We examined the mean flow velocity (MFV) and pulsatility index (PI) in the middle cerebral arteries of individuals randomized into two groups-a Usual Physical Activity (UPA) group and an Enhanced Physical Activity (EPA) exercise intervention group-to determine if exercise training is related to changes in cerebral blood flow. Methods: We examined 23 participants, randomized into a UPA group (n=12) and an EPA group (n=11), with transcranial color-coded Doppler (TCCD) and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, mL/kg/min) testing at baseline and following a 26-week intervention. TCCD was used to measure MFV and PI. Participants in the EPA group completed supervised aerobic exercise training for 26 weeks. Kendall's tau b correlation was used to examine relationships between variables. The Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to examine changes between the UPA and EPA groups. Results: There was no significant change in MFV or PI in the UPA group or the EPA group (p-values >0.05) between baseline and 26 weeks; the change between the UPA and EPA groups was also not significant (p=0.603). There was no evidence of an association between change in VO2peak and change in MFV or PI (all p-values >0.05). Participants in the EPA group significantly increased their VO2peak compared to the UPA group (p=0.027). Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate evidence of a significant change in the MFV in the middle cerebral arteries or evidence of a significant change in the PI between UPA and EPA groups. Future studies should be performed in larger cohorts and should consider use of personalized exercise programs to maximize understanding of how cerebrovascular hemodynamics change in structure and function with exercise for adults at risk for Alzheimer dementia.

A technique to guide replacement of multiunit abutments supporting an existing implant-supported fixed complete denture.

This article describes a technique for replacing a fractured multiunit abutment (MUA) supporting an existing implant-supported fixed complete denture (ISFCD) with a custom-fabricated abutment alignment device. The angulated MUA threads that receive the prosthetic screw to secure the ISFCD can become stripped, cross-threaded, or, in some patients, the thin metal in this region may fracture. These conditions necessitate the removal and replacement of the angulated MUA. For many clinicians, replacement of the angulated MUA will be a rare and unfamiliar procedure. One of the biggest challenges is to achieve the correct orientation of the replacement angulated MUA hexagon to the supporting implant's internal hexagon. This technique aids the accurate indexing of the current angulated MUA position and replacement with a new angulated MUA without a trial-and-error approach involving multiple insertions and tightening of the abutment screw.

Sex-Specific Differences in Ventricular Dimensions in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: A Retrospective Study.

The timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in asymptomatic patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is typically based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-derived ventricular volume measurements. Current criteria do not account for sex-based differences in chamber size. The purpose of this study was to compare male and female ventricular volumes and function in TOF patients with a hypothesis that females are less likely to meet common-indexed right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDVi) and right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESVi) criteria for PVR. Cardiac magnetic resonance data from 17 females (age 31.7 ± 15.4 years) and 23 males (30.7 ± 15.4 years) with TOF were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and imaging data were recorded. Differences in sex-based means and standard deviations were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test with continuity correction. Age and pulmonary regurgitant fraction were similar in females and males. RVEDVi was lower in females than in males, but the difference was not statistically significant. Differences in RVESVi, LVEDVi, LVESVi, and left ventricular ejection fraction were statistically significant, while the difference in right ventricular ejection fraction was not. RVEDVi was greater than 150 mL/m2 in 3/17 (17.6%) females and 10/23 (43.5%) males (OR 3.6). RVESVi was greater than 82 mL/m2 in 2/17 females and 8/23 males (OR 4.0). Sex-specific differences in right ventricular and left ventricular volumes and function are present in patients with TOF despite similar pulmonary regurgitation. These differences may need to be considered when evaluating patients for PVR.

Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 on carriage of Staphylococcus aureus: results of the impact of probiotics for reducing infections in veterans (IMPROVE) study.

BACKGROUND: Infection by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Colonization by S. aureus increases the risk of infection. Little is known about decolonization strategies for S. aureus beyond antibiotics, however probiotics represent a promising alternative. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) HN001 in reducing carriage of S. aureus at multiple body sites. METHODS: One hundred thirteen subjects, positive for S. aureus carriage, were recruited from the William S. Middleton Memorial Medical Center, Madison, WI, USA, and randomized by initial site of colonization, either gastrointestinal (GI) or extra-GI, to 4-weeks of oral L. rhamnosus HN001 probiotic, or placebo. Nasal, oropharyngeal, and axillary/groin swabs were obtained, and serial blood and fecal samples were collected. Differences in prevalence of S. aureus carriage at the end of the 4-weeks of treatment were assessed. RESULTS: The probiotic and placebo groups were similar in age, gender, and health history at baseline. S. aureus colonization within the stool samples of the extra-GI group was 15% lower in the probiotic than placebo group at the endpoint of the trial. Those in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group had 73% reduced odds (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.07-0.98) of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus presence, and 83% reduced odds (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.73) of any S. aureus presence in the stool sample at endpoint. CONCLUSION: Use of daily oral L. rhamnosus HN001 reduced odds of carriage of S. aureus in the GI tract, however it did not eradicate S. aureus from other body sites. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01321606 . Registered March 21, 2011.

A randomized controlled trial of probiotics for Clostridium difficile infection in adults (PICO).

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infections, responsible for >450000 infections annually in the USA. Probiotics provide a promising, well-tolerated adjunct therapy to standard C. difficile infection (CDI) treatment regimens, but there is a paucity of data regarding their effectiveness for the treatment of an initial CDI. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of 33 participants from February 2013 to February 2015 to determine the feasibility and health outcomes of adjunct probiotic use in patients with an initial mild to moderate CDI. METHODS: The intervention was a 28 day, once-daily course of a four-strain oral probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 and B. lactis Bl-04. The control placebo was identical in taste and appearance. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov: trial registration number = NCT01680874. RESULTS: Probiotic adjunct therapy was associated with a significant improvement in diarrhoea outcomes. The primary duration of diarrhoea outcome (0.0 versus 1.0 days; P = 0.039) and two exploratory outcomes, total diarrhoea days (3.5 versus 12.0 days; P = 0.005) and rate of diarrhoea (0.1 versus 0.3 days of diarrhoea/stool diary days submitted; P = 0.009), all decreased in participants with probiotic use compared with placebo. There was no significant difference in the rate of CDI recurrence or functional improvement over time between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics are a promising adjunct therapy for treatment of an initial CDI and should be further explored in a larger randomized controlled trial.

Advance directives among people living with HIV: room for improvement.

While HIV has become a largely chronic disease, age-associated comorbidities are prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH). Therefore, PLWH are appropriate for advance care planning (ACP) and advance directives (ADs) completion. We sought to characterize AD completion among outpatient PLWH. We conducted a retrospective chart review of PLWH who receive their routine care at the University of Wisconsin HIV clinic. Data were extracted from the electronic health record. Variables were entered into a stepwise multivariate logistic regression model to assess which factors were independently associated with AD completion. Five hundred and eighty eight charts were reviewed. Eighty-one percent of subjects were male and 72% were white; mean age was 46.8 years. ADs were completed by 134 subjects and 6.7% of those were completed at the HIV clinic. In the final multivariate model, those who had completed an AD were more likely to be older than age 45; ever been diagnosed with AIDS; have cardiovascular disease, neurologic disorder, chronic kidney disease, or malignancy. In this study, a small percentage of patients had documented ADs, with only a small proportion completed in the HIV clinic. The HIV clinic is an underutilized resource to offer ACP. Interventions are needed to provide the necessary ACP resources for PLWH.

Outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection in recipients of solid abdominal organ transplants.

Knowledge of outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is limited. To evaluate this population, we undertook a retrospective cohort study of all recipients of kidney and liver transplants diagnosed with CDI at a single center over 14 yr. Data pertaining to all episodes of CDI were collected. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of clinical cure. Overall, 170 patients developed 215 episodes of CDI. Among these patients, 162 episodes (75%) were cured, and in 103 episodes (48%), patients were cured within 14 d. In a multivariate analysis, lack of clinical cure at 14 d was predicted by recurrent episode (0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.72, p = 0.0128), treatment with vancomycin (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.1-0.74, p = 0.011), vasopressor support (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.76, p = 0.0161), and CDI before the year 2004 (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.2-0.98, p = 0.0446). The latter three factors are likely markers for severity of illness. In this cohort, 13 patients (8%) died during hospitalization, and 49 patients (29%) died within one yr. No deaths were attributed to CDI. Recurrent episode was a major predictor of treatment failure, suggesting that research into development of therapeutic options for recurrent disease is needed.

A technique to eliminate subgingival cement adhesion to implant abutments by using polytetrafluoroethylene tape.

Residual excess cement adhered subgingivally to an implant abutment has the potential to cause periimplant mucositis or periimplant disease. This article describes a procedure in which polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape is used to protect dental cements from adhering to the implant abutment. This technique ensures complete removal of cement from the implant abutment after seating of the crown.

Association of Size Matching Using Predicted Heart Mass With Mortality in Heart Transplant Recipients With Obesity or High Pulmonary Vascular Resistance.

Importance: Pretransplant obesity and higher pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) are risk factors for death after heart transplant. However, it remains unclear whether appropriate donor-to-recipient size matching using predicted heart mass (PHM) is associated with lower risk. Objective: To investigate the association of size matching using PHM with risk of death posttransplant among patients with obesity and/or higher PVR. Design, Setting, and Participants: All adult patients (>18 years) who underwent heart transplant between 2003 and 2022 with available information using the United Network for Organ Sharing cohort database. Multivariable Cox models and multivariable-adjusted spline curves were used to examine the risk of death posttransplant with PHM matching. Data were analyzed from October 2022 to March 2023. Exposure: Recipient's body mass index (BMI) in categories (<18.0 [underweight], 18.1-24.9 [normal weight, reference], 25.0-29.9 [overweight], 30.0-34.9 [obese 1], 35-39.9 [obese 2], and ≥40.0 [obese 3]) and recipient's pretransplant PVR in categories of less than 4 (29 061 participants), 4 to 6 (2842 participants), and more than 6 Wood units (968 participants); and less than 3 (24 950 participants), 3 to 5 (6115 participants), and 5 or more (1806 participants) Wood units. Main Outcome: All-cause death posttransplant on follow-up. Results: The mean (SD) age of the cohort of 37 712 was 52.8 (12.8) years, 27 976 (74%) were male, 25 342 were non-Hispanic White (68.0%), 7664 were Black (20.4%), and 3139 were Hispanic or Latino (8.5%). A total of 12 413 recipients (32.9%) had a normal BMI, 13 849 (36.7%) had overweight, and 10 814 (28.7%) had obesity. On follow-up (median [IQR] 5.05 [0-19.4] years), 12 785 recipients (3046 female) died. For patients with normal weight, overweight, or obese 2, receiving a PHM-undermatched heart was associated with an increased risk of death (normal weight hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.34; overweight HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.02-1.23; and obese 2 HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14). Moreover, patients with higher pretransplant PVR who received an undermatched heart had a higher risk of death posttransplant in multivariable-adjusted spline curves in graded fashion until appropriately matched. In contrast, risk of death among patients receiving a PHM-overmatched heart did not differ from the appropriately matched group, including in recipients with an elevated pretransplant PVR. Conclusion and Relevance: In this cohort study, undermatching donor-to-recipient size according to PHM was associated with higher posttransplant mortality, specifically in patients with normal weight, overweight, or class II obesity and in patients with elevated pretransplant PVR. Overmatching donor-to-recipient size was not associated with posttransplant survival.

Radiographic detection and characteristic patterns of residual excess cement associated with cement-retained implant restorations: a clinical report.

Residual excess cement (REC) is a common complication of cement-retained prostheses and has been linked to periimplant disease. Removal of the cement residue may result in resolution of the issue if addressed early in the disease process. However, this is dependent upon the ability to locate and adequately remove the foreign material. This series of patient scenarios describes the ability to detect REC by using dental radiography. Characteristics related to cements and flow patterns specific to implants are addressed.

Distinguishing exercise intolerance in early-stage pulmonary hypertension with invasive exercise hemodynamics: Rest VE /VCO2 and ETCO2 identify pulmonary vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Among subjects with exercise intolerance and suspected early-stage pulmonary hypertension (PH), early identification of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) with noninvasive methods is essential for prompt PH management. HYPOTHESIS: Rest gas exchange parameters (minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production ratio: VE /VCO2 and end-tidal carbon dioxide: ETCO2 ) can identify PVD in early-stage PH. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 55 subjects with early-stage PH (per echocardiogram), undergoing invasive exercise hemodynamics with cardiopulmonary exercise test to distinguish exercise intolerance mechanisms. Based on the rest and exercise hemodynamics, three distinct phenotypes were defined: (1) PVD, (2) pulmonary venous hypertension, and (3) noncardiac dyspnea (no rest or exercise PH). For all tests, *p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age was 63.3 ± 13.4 years (53% female). In the overall cohort, higher rest VE /VCO2 and lower rest ETCO2 (mm Hg) correlated with high rest and exercise pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (r ~ 0.5-0.6*). On receiver-operating characteristic analysis to predict PVD (vs. non-PVD) subjects with noninvasive metrics, area under the curve for pulmonary artery systolic pressure (echocardiogram) = 0.53, rest VE /VCO2 = 0.70* and ETCO2 = 0.73*. Based on this, optimal thresholds of rest VE /VCO2 > 40 mm Hg and rest ETCO2 < 30 mm Hg were applied to the overall cohort. Subjects with both abnormal gas exchange parameters (n = 12, vs. both normal parameters, n = 19) had an exercise PVR 5.2 ± 2.6* (vs. 1.9 ± 1.2), mPAP/CO slope with exercise 10.2 ± 6.0* (vs. 2.9 ± 2.0), and none included subjects from the noncardiac dyspnea group. CONCLUSIONS: In a broad cohort of subjects with suspected early-stage PH, referred for invasive exercise testing to distinguish mechanisms of exercise intolerance, rest gas exchange parameters (VE /VCO2 > 40 mm Hg and ETCO2 < 30 mm Hg) identify PVD.

Increased RV:LV ratio on chest CT-angiogram in COVID-19 is a marker of adverse outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dilation has been used to predict adverse outcomes in acute pulmonary conditions. It has been used to categorize the severity of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) infection. Our study aimed to use chest CT-angiogram (CTA) to assess if increased RV dilation, quantified as an increased RV:LV (left ventricle) ratio, is associated with adverse outcomes in the COVID-19 infection, and if it occurs out of proportion to lung parenchymal disease. RESULTS: We reviewed clinical, laboratory, and chest CTA findings in COVID-19 patients (n = 100), and two control groups: normal subjects (n = 10) and subjects with organizing pneumonia (n = 10). On a chest CTA, we measured basal dimensions of the RV and LV in a focused 4-chamber view, and dimensions of pulmonary artery (PA) and aorta (AO) at the PA bifurcation level. Among the COVID-19 cohort, a higher RV:LV ratio was correlated with adverse outcomes, defined as ICU admission, intubation, or death. In patients with adverse outcomes, the RV:LV ratio was 1.06 ± 0.10, versus 0.95 ± 0.15 in patients without adverse outcomes. Among the adverse outcomes group, compared to the control subjects with organizing pneumonia, the lung parenchymal damage was lower (22.6 ± 9.0 vs. 32.7 ± 6.6), yet the RV:LV ratio was higher (1.06 ± 0.14 vs. 0.89 ± 0.07). In ROC analysis, RV:LV ratio had an AUC = 0.707 with an optimal cutoff of RV:LV ≥ 1.1 as a predictor of adverse outcomes. In a validation cohort (n = 25), an RV:LV ≥ 1.1 as a cutoff predicted adverse outcomes with an odds ratio of 76:1. CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 patients, RV:LV ratio ≥ 1.1 on CTA chest is correlated with adverse outcomes. RV dilation in COVID-19 is out of proportion to parenchymal lung damage, pointing toward a vascular and/or thrombotic injury in the lungs.

Interpersonal contribution to outcome: The relation of interpersonal distress and symptomatic improvement as a result of psychotherapy.

The study utilized a 32-item brief measure of interpersonal problems (IIP) to examine interpersonal distress in relation to symptomology and treatment outcome as assessed by the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45). The study included a community sample of 210 individuals receiving psychotherapy at a mental health training facility. A number of significant correlations were found between interpersonal distresses with symptomology. The highest correlations were found between levels of general interpersonal distress and symptoms relating to psychiatric and social distress at the onset of therapy; in general the IIP did not differentiate between symptomology types. The study failed to replicate previous research indicating a relation between facets of interpersonal problems with treatment outcome.

National Trends in Heart Donor Usage Rates: Are We Efficiently Transplanting More Hearts?

Background It is unclear whether the recent increase in the number of heart transplants performed annually in the United States is only because of higher availability of donors and if it affected recipients' survival. Methods and Results We examined characteristics of donors and recipients from 2008 to 2012 (n=11 654) and 2013 to 2017 (n=14 556) and compared them with 2003 to 2007 (n=10 869). Cox models examined 30-day and 1-year risk of recipients' death post transplant. From 2013 to 2017, there was an increase in the number of transplanted hearts and number of donor offers but an overall decline in the ratio of hearts transplanted to available donors. Donors between 2013 and 2017 were older, heavier, more hypertensive, diabetic, and likely to have abused illicit drugs compared with previous years. Drug overdose and hepatitis C positive donors were additional contributors to donor risk in recent years. In Cox models, risk of death post transplant between 2013 and 2017 was 15% lower at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR] 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.98) and 21% lower at 1 year (HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73-0.87) and between 2008 and 2012 was 9% lower at 30 days (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.79-1.05) and 14% lower at 1 year (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79-0.94) compared with 2003 to 2007. Conclusions Despite a substantial increase in heart donor offers in recent years, the ratio of transplants performed to available donors has decreased. Even though hearts from donors who are older, more hypertensive, and have diabetes mellitus are being used, overall recipient survival continues to improve. Broader acceptance of drug overdose and hepatitis C positive donors may increase the number and percentage of heart transplants further without jeopardizing short-term outcomes.

Survey of Dental Clinicians for Attitude and Use of Torque-Limiting Devices.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to survey practicing clinicians and determine if differences existed concerning their use of torque-limiting devices (TLDs) and screw-tightening protocols, comparing this with existing universal industry standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nine-question survey was administered with 428 dentists providing data for three specific areas: (1) demographic information-TLD ownership, device age, frequency of use, and observations of screw loosening; (2) recognition information-calibration, reading measurements of the TLD, and the meaning of preload; (3) usage information-screw-tightening protocols and effect of speed during actioning of the TLD. Data collection was compared with industry standards for use of hand torque tools including ISO-6789 1,2:2017 and related texts pertaining to screw fastener protocols. RESULTS: The beam-type TLD was the most popular; however, 33% surveyed used it incorrectly. Most TLDs being used were older than 1 year, with only 6% calibrated. Forty-eight percent observed screw loosening less than once per year, while 44% reported three or more occurrences per year. A similar number used the TLD for implant placement and abutment screw tightening. Screw-tightening protocols varied. Preload was not understood by the majority of those surveyed. CONCLUSION: Dentistry does not appear to adhere to the protocols and standards recommended by other industries that also rely on screw-fastening mechanisms and TLDs. Further education and training appears to be warranted in this area of implant dentistry to reduce the risks of screw-associated complications.

A descriptive study of the radiographic density of implant restorative cements.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Cementation of implant prostheses is a common practice. Excess cement in the gingival sulcus may harm the periodontal tissues. Identification of the excess cement may be possible with the use of radiographs if the cement has sufficient radiopacity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the radiographic density of different cements used for implant prostheses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight different cements were compared: TempBond Original (TBO), TempBond NE (TBN), Fleck's (FL), Dycal (DY), RelyX Unicem (RXU), RelyX Luting (RXL), Improv (IM), and Premier Implant Cement (PIC). Specimen disks, 2 mm in thickness, were radiographed. Images were made using photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates with standardized exposure values. The average grey level of the central area of each specimen disk was selected and measured in pixels using a software analysis program, ImageTool, providing an average grey level value representative of radiodensity for each of the 8 cements. The radiodensity was determined using the grey level values of the test materials, which were recorded and compared to a standard aluminum step wedge. An equivalent thickness of aluminum in millimeters was calculated using best straight line fit estimates. To assess contrast effects by varying the exposure settings, a second experiment using 1-mm-thick cement specimens radiographed at both 60 kVp and 70 kVp was conducted. The PSP plates with specimens were measured for a grey level value comparison to the standard aluminum step wedge, using the same software program. RESULTS: The highest grey level values were recorded for the zinc cements (TBO, TBN, and FL), with the 1-mm specimen detectable at both 60- and 70-kVp settings. A lower grey level was recorded for DY, indicative of a lower radiodensity compared to the zinc cements, but higher than RXL and RXU. The implant-specific cements had the lowest grey level values. IM could only be detected in 2-mm-thick sections with a lower aluminum equivalence value than the previously mentioned cements. PIC could not be detected radiographically for either the 1-mm or 2-mm thicknesses at either of the kVp settings. CONCLUSIONS: Some types of cement commonly used for the cementation of implant-supported prostheses have poor radiodensity and may not be detectable following radiographic examination.

Heart and kidney transplant: should they be combined or subsequent?

AIMS: End-stage heart failure patients often present with severe kidney failure and have limited treatment options. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes among end-stage heart and kidney failure patients who underwent combined heart and kidney transplant (HKTx) with those who underwent kidney transplant after heart transplant (KAH). METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients from 2007-2016 who underwent combined HKTx (n = 715) and those who underwent KAH (n = 130) using the United Network for Organ Sharing database were included. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models compared survivals and identified predictors of death. Number of combined HKTx performed annually in United States increased from 59 in 2007 to 146 in 2016 whereas KAH decreased from 34 in 2007 to 6 in 2016. Among KAH patients, average wait time for kidney transplant was 3.0 years, time to dialysis or to kidney transplant after heart transplant did not differ with varying severity of kidney disease at baseline (P for both >0.05). Upon follow-up (mean 3.5 ± 2.7 years), 151 patients died. In multivariable models, patients who underwent combined HKTx had 4.7-fold greater risk of death [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4-9.4) than KAH patients upon follow up. A secondary analysis using calculation of survival only after kidney transplant for KAH patients still conferred higher risk for combined HKTx patients [hazard ratio (HR) 2.6 95% CI 1.33-5.15]. In subgroup analyses after excluding patients on dialysis (HR 3.99 95% CI 1.98-8.04) and analysis after propensity matching for age, gender, and glomerular filtration rate (HR 3.01 95% CI 1.40-6.43) showed similar and significantly higher risk for combined HKTx patients compared with KAH patients. Lastly, these results also remained unchanged after excluding transplant centres who performed only one type of procedure preferentially, i.e. HKTx or KAH (HR 4.70 95% CI 2.35-9.42). CONCLUSIONS: National registry data show continual increase in combined HKTx performed annually in the United States but inferior survival compared with KAH patients. Differences in patient characteristics or level of kidney dysfunction at baseline do not explain these poor outcomes among HKTx patients compared with KAH patients. Consensus guidelines are greatly needed to identify patients who may benefit more from dual organ transplants.