Ozone and Laser Effects on Dentin Hypersensitivity Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of diode laser and ozone gas in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DHS). METHODS: One hundred thirty-two teeth from 44 patients with moderate DHS were randomized into 3 groups according to a split-mouth design. In the diode laser group, the operator irradiated the superficial dentin exposed with an 808-nm wavelength and incremental power from 0.2 to 0.6 W with a 20-second interval. In the ozone gas group, the operator applied a high dose of ozone (32 g/m3) for 30 seconds using a silicon cup. In the placebo group, no therapy was applied. The dentin sensitivity level was evaluated upon enrollment (T0), immediately after treatment (T1), 3 months post-treatment (T2), and 6 months post-treatment (T3) with a cold air blast challenge and tactile stimuli. The pain severity was quantified according to the visual analogue scale. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to scrutinize potential statistical disparities among the treatments. Statistical significance was predetermined at P < .05. RESULTS: A significant decrease of DHS was observed in the ozone gas group and the `diode laser group immediately after treatment and after 3 and 6 months of the therapy. After 6 months from the therapy, the sensitivity values in the teeth treated with ozone gas remained statistically lower than those treated with diode lasers (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: A laser diode and ozone gas are both efficient as dentin sensitivity treatment. Ozone maintains an invariable effectiveness after 6 months.

Coffee Restores Expression of lncRNAs Involved in Steatosis and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of NAFLD.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Coffee intake exerts protective effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), although without fully cleared mechanisms. In this study we aimed to assess whether coffee consumption may influence the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the liver. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a 12-week standard diet (SD), high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD plus decaffeinated coffee solution (HFD + coffee). Expression of specific lncRNAs involved in NAFLD was analyzed by real-time PCR. For the most differentially expressed lncRNAs, the analysis was also extended to their mRNA targets. RESULTS: Decaffeinated coffee intake reduced body weight gain, prevented NAFLD, lowered hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. NAFLD was associated with lower hepatic expression of Gm16551, a lncRNA inhibiting de novo lipogenesis, and higher expression of H19, a lncRNA promoting fibrogenesis. Coffee intake restored Gm16551 to levels observed in lean mice and downregulated gene expression of its targets acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1 and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1. Furthermore, coffee consumption markedly decreased hepatic expression of H19 and of its target gene collagen alpha-1(I) chain; consistently, in mice fed HFD + coffee liver expression of αSMA protein returned to levels of mice fed SD. Expression of lncRNA involved in circadian clock such as fatty liver-related lncRNA 1 (FLRL1) and fatty liver-related lncRNA 2 (FLRL2) were upregulated by HFD and were also modulated by coffee intake. CONCLUSION: Hepatoprotective effects of coffee may be depending on the modulation of lncRNAs involved in key pathways of NAFLD onset and progression.

Predictors of psychological distress amongst nursing students: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Undergraduate nursing students show high-stress levels. In students, stress has been linked to adverse physical and psychological health outcomes and academic and clinical demands. To date, there are few studies dealing with psychological predictors of stress amongst nursing students. This study aimed to assess psychological distress in a sample of Italian nursing students and to explore its relationship with sociodemographic and psychological factors, specifically dispositional mindfulness, emotional regulation difficulties, and empathy. A multicenter cross-sectional survey design was employed. Participants were recruited from five teaching hospitals associated with a public university in northern Italy. A sample of 622 undergraduate nursing students was recruited. Participants were recruited on campus and completed a paper-and-pencil survey. More than 70% of nursing students reported meaningful levels of psychological distress. Students with higher dispositional mindfulness scores had lower psychological distress, whereas emotional regulation difficulties and empathic personal distress were positively associated with perceived stress. No gender differences were found in stress levels, but senior students showed lower psychological distress than more junior students. Interventions aimed at increasing mindfulness facets and improving emotional regulation strategies may help to reduce perceived psychological stress in nursing students.

Protecting emergency room nurses from burnout: The role of dispositional mindfulness, emotion regulation and empathy.

AIM: To verify the role of dispositional mindfulness, difficulties in emotion regulation and empathy in explaining burnout levels of emergency room (ER) nurses. BACKGROUND: Many studies have examined the variables that can affect burnout amongst ER nurses, but little is known about factors that can protect ER nurses against work-related stress. METHOD: A multi-centre cross-sectional design was used. Burnout level intensity, dispositional mindfulness facets, difficulties in emotion regulation and empathy dimensions were assessed using valid and reliable self-report questionnaires in a sample of ER nurses (N = 97) from three different hospitals. RESULTS: Higher dispositional mindfulness and cognitive empathy levels and lower difficulties in emotion regulation, were negatively associated with emotional exhaustion levels. CONCLUSION: ER nurses with more mindful, emotion regulation and empathy skills are more able to manage work-related distress. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Experiential interventions to promote mindfulness skills, emotion regulation variability and flexibility in a clinical context and the cognitive side of empathy are recommended for ER nurses to reduce professional distress, and to enhance personal and work satisfaction. Future research should assess the effectiveness of new multi-factorial interventions which combine the development of mindfulness, emotion regulation and empathy skills in ER nurses.

Intravenous enzyme replacement therapy: hospital vs home.

Two surveys were carried out to establish the status of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for lysosomal storage diseases in Italy. The first was a national survey covering the regional reference centres (RRCs) for these diseases; replies disclosed that 57.7% of patients are on ERT, administered almost exclusively in hospital settings (local hospital 60.7%, RRC 34.8%, home 2.6%); Italian health service procedures do not support ERT at home. The second survey was a regional survey in Lombardy, involving 48 patients (six of whom were on ERT at home). According to 40% of the patients, hospital-based ERT is disruptive, causing loss of days at school/work, stress and family issues. The patients on home therapy did not have these problems. However, 93% of patients receiving ERT in hospital perceived the advantages of greater safety, closer monitoring and more support from health professionals and experts. A total of 55% were willing to receive ERT at home, but 33% were against it. This may be the result of a lack of experience with ERT at home in Italy, or because of different opinions between family members and physicians. As international experience shows that ERT at home saves healthcare resources and improves quality of life, the issue should be raised with Italian healthcare policy makers, who should ensure nursing support for home-based ERT.