Cone beam computed tomography assessment of the prevalence and association of pulp calcification with periodontitis.

Periodontitis has a known association with pathological calcification in the cardiovascular system. Considering the close anatomic and circulatory association between dental pulp and the periodontium, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pulp calcification (PC) under different periodontal conditions, as well as the associations of PC with the degree of periodontal damage, via cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination. In this study, 55 patients were categorized into three groups according to periodontal condition: group 1 (healthy controls), group 2 (periodontitis stage I-II), and group 3 (periodontitis stage III-IV). PC and radiographic bone loss (RBL) was assessed by CBCT in sagittal, axial, and coronal views, and statistical analyses were conducted. PC was identified in 378 of 1170 teeth (32.3%). The prevalence significantly differed among the three groups (P < 0.001). Group 2 had a 2.43-fold (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-3.61) higher risk of PC than group 1; and the risk of PC was 3.04-fold (P < 0.001, 95% CI 2.06-4.48) higher in group 3 than group 1. Teeth with more severe RBL exhibited a higher prevalence of PC (P < 0.001). Molar teeth had a higher risk of PC than incisors and premolars. In conclusion, the occurrence of PC is related to the periodontal state, and the prevalence of PC is higher in teeth with periodontitis; tooth type and periodontitis status are important risk factors for PC.

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome with combined uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and midline glossectomy: outcomes from a 5-year study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective long-term follow-up study was to assess 5-year outcomes after combined uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and midline glossectomy surgery for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: A total of 34 subjects with OSAHS with combinatory obstructions of posterior soft palate and posterior tongue area who underwent combined midline glossectomy and UPPP were successfully followed for 5 years to examine the therapeutic effect of treatment. All subjects were of Friedman stage II or III and had major stenoses at the base of the tongue. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and mean lowest S(pO(2)) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively to assess therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS: The mean preoperative AHI was 56.0 ± 8.4 episodes/h, while the mean lowest S(pO(2)) was 62.1 ± 10.6%. AHI and mean lowest S(pO(2)) were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, from preoperative levels at each follow-up point after surgery, up to 5 years (P < .05). The average widened pharyngeal space after surgery was 42 mm(2). At 6 months, surgery was classified as being curative in 27/34 (79.41%) of subjects, and markedly effective or effective in the remaining subjects. At 5 years, surgery was classified as being curative in 7/34 (20.59%) subjects, markedly effective or effective in 25/34 (73.53%) subjects, and not effective in 2/34 (5.88%) subjects. Five years after surgery the average body mass index for the subjects who were not cured was slightly higher than those who were cured, but the difference was not statistically significant (31.3 ± 3.7 kg/m(2) vs 29.7 ± 3.6 kg/m(2), P = .29). Subjects who were cured had lower supine AHI values than those who were not cured (2-year postoperative AHI 36.8 ± 9.2 episodes/h vs 43.8 ± 6.9 episodes/h, P = .03, 5-year post-operation AHI 32.1 ± 7.6 episodes/h vs 41.7 ± 8.2 episodes/h, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that combined midline glossectomy and UPPP can be an effective treatment for subjects with Friedman stage II or III OSAHS and substantial stenosis around the base of the tongue.

A novel detection strategy for nitrofuran metabolite residues: Dual-mode competitive-type electrochemical immunosensor based on polyethyleneimine reduced graphene oxide/gold nanorods nanocomposite and silica-based multifunctional immunoprobe.

Excessive residues of semicarbazide (SEM) can accumulate in animals after the original drug has been abused, posing a risk to human health. Herein, based on multifunctional silica-initiated dual mode signal response, a novel competitive-type immunosensor was constructed for ultrasensitive detection of SEM. As a preliminary signal amplification platform for immunosensors, polyethyleneimine reduced graphene oxide composite gold nanorods (PEI-rGO/AuNRs) modified gold electrodes (AuE) provide a high specific surface area and high electrical conductivity. The thionine-aminated silica nanospheres-AuPt (thi-SiO2@AuPt) were synthesized by a racile coprecipitation method for enzyme immobilization and redox species loading. The multifunctional silica nanosphere conjugated with labeling antibodies (Ab2) was employed as an immunoprobe. The per unit concentration target of SEM can be determined by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to detect the thi loaded on the immunoprobe, which can also be determined by square wave voltammetry (SWV) to detect the current generated by the reaction system of H2O2 and hydroquinone (HQ) catalyzed by the immunoprobe with peroxidase. Under optimal conditions, the proposed immunosensor displayed a wide linear range from 1 µg-0.01 ng/mL and low detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.488 pg/mL and 0.0157 ng/mL, respectively. Ultimately, the developed method exhibits excellent performance in practical applications, providing promising probabilities for SEM detection.