Influence of building direction on physical and mechanical properties of titanium implants: A systematic review.

The objective of the systematic review is to find an answer to a question: "What is the influence of the building direction of titanium implants produced by additive manufacturing on their physical and mechanical properties?" This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2020) and was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) (osf.io/rdc84). Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, and Google Scholar databases on February 17th, 2024. Articles were chosen in 2 steps by 2 blinded reviewers based on previously selected inclusion criteria: In vitro studies that evaluated the influence of the impression direction of titanium implants produced by additive manufacturing on their physical and mechanical properties were selected. Articles were excluded that (1) did not use additive technology to obtain the implants, 2) used surfaces other than titanium, 3) did not evaluate the direction of impression, 4) Studies with only in vivo analyses, clinical studies, systematic reviews, book chapters, short communications, conference abstracts, case reports, and personal opinions.). In the initial search, 581 results were found. Of this total, 108 were excluded for duplication and, after applying the eligibility criteria, 16 articles were included in the present review. The risk of bias was analyzed using the RoBDEMAT. The risk of bias was analyzed using the RoBDEMAT. In addition, the coefficient of interagreement of the reviewers (Cohen's Kappa) and the certainty of evidence by GRADE were analyzed. In general, different impression angles showed variations in the physical and mechanical characteristics of the groups evaluated, including roughness, tensile strength, hardness, and modulus of elasticity. While some impression orientations resulted in greater strength or hardness, others showed greater elasticity or lower surface roughness. These findings suggest that print orientation plays a significant role in determining material properties. It can be concluded that printing directions influence the physical and mechanical properties of titanium implants and the studies included showed that the 0°, 45°, and 90° directions are the most evaluated as they present lower probabilities of structural anisotropies and provide better results in their roughness, hardness, tensile and compressive strength.

Influence of post-processing on the adhesion of dual-species biofilm on polylactic acid obtained by additive manufacturing.

Introduction: Post-processing (PP) is performed to improve the surface, which can favor microbial adhesion and consequent pathological manifestations that impair the indication of polylactic acid (PLA) obtained by fused filament fabrication (FFF) for biomedical applications. This aims to evaluate the influence of chemical, thermal, and mechanical PP on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutants and Candida albicans, roughness, and wettability of the PLA obtained by FFF with and without thermal aging. Methods: The specimens were designed in the 3D modeling program and printed. The chemical PP was performed by immersion in chloroform, the thermal by the annealing method, and the mechanical by polishing. Thermal aging was performed by alternating the temperature from 5 °C to 55 °C with 5000 cycles. Colony-forming unit (CFU/mL) counting was performed on dual-species biofilm of C. albicans and S. mutans. Roughness was analyzed by rugosimeter and wettability by the sessile drop technique. Data were verified for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test, two-way ANOVA (α = 0.05) applied for CFU and wettability, and Kruskal-Wallis (α = 0.05) for roughness. Results: Chemical, thermal, and mechanical PP methods showed no influence on CFU/mL of C. albicans (p = 0.296) and S. mutans (p = 0.055). Thermal aging did not influence microbial adhesion. Chemical PP had lower roughness, which had increased after aging. Wettability of the mechanical PP was lower. Conclusions: Post-processing techniques, do not present an influence on the adhesion of S. mutans and C. albicans in PLA obtained by FFF, chemical PP reduced roughness, and mechanical reduced wettability. Thermal aging did not alter the microbial adhesion and altered the roughness and wettability.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against biofilms formed in dental acrylic resin: a systematic review of in vitro studies.

This study aimed to answer the question formulated according to the PICO strategy: 'Which essential oils show antimicrobial activity against biofilms formed on dental acrylic resin?' composed by population (dental acrylic resin), intervention (application of essential oils), comparison (denture cleansers, antifungal drugs, chlorhexidine, and oral mouthwashes), and outcome (antibiofilm activity). In vitro experimental studies evaluating the activity of EOs on biofilm formed on acrylic resin were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the search was performed in the PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, and Lilacs databases and in the gray literature using Google Scholar and ProQuest in December 2023. A manual search of the reference lists of the included primary studies was performed. Of the 1467 articles identified, 37 were selected for full-text reading and 12 were included. Twelve EOs were evaluated, of which 11 showed activity against Candida spp., 3 against Staphylococcus aureus, and 1 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The EOs of Cymbopogon citratus, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Cymbopogon nardus showed higher action than chlorhexidine, C. nardus higher than Listerine, C. citratus higher than nystatin, and Melaleuca alternifolia higher than fluconazole and nystatin. However, chlorhexidine was more effective than Lippia sidoides and Salvia officinalis, sodium hypochlorite was more effective than L. sidoides, nystatin was more effective than Zingiber officinale, Amphotericin B more effective than Eucalyptus globulus and M. alternifolia. In conclusion, the EOs of C. zeylanicum, C. citratus, C. nardus, and M. alternifolia showed antimicrobial activity to reduce biofilm on dental acrylic resin.

Comparative analysis of the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of Ti-6Al-4V disks produced by different methods and subjected to surface treatments.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: To improve the osseointegration of dental implants and reduce microbiological growth, different micro- and nanoscale surface topographies can be used. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of Ti-6Al-4V with 4 surfaces, machined (DU), machined+hydroxyapatite (DUHAp), machined+acid-alkali treatment (DUAA), and additive manufacturing (DMA), on the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The topography of Ti-6Al-4V disks with the 4 surfaces was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the chemical composition by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and the crystalline structure by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Physical and chemical properties were analyzed by using wettability and surface free energy, roughness, and microbial adhesion against Staphylococcus aureus by colony forming units (CFU). One-way ANOVA analysis of variance and the Tukey multiple comparisons test were applied to evaluate the data, except CFU, which was submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (α=.05). RESULTS: DU photomicrographs showed a topography characteristic of a polished machined surface, DUHAp and DUAA exhibited patterns corresponding to the surface modifications performed, and in DMA the presence of partially fused spherical particles was observed. The EDS identified chemical elements inherent in the Ti-6Al-4V, and the DUHAp and DUAA disks also had the ions from the treatments applied. XRD patterns revealed similarities between DU and DMA, as well as characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite (HA) in the DUHAp disk and the DUAA. Compared with DU and DMA the DUHAp and DUAA groups showed hydrophilic behavior with smaller contact angles and higher surface free energy (P<.05). DMA showed a higher mean value of roughness, different from the others (P<.05), and a higher CFU for S. aureus (P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: DUHAp and DUAA showed similar behaviors regarding wettability, surface free energy, and bacterial adhesion. Among the untreated groups, DMA exhibited higher roughness, bacterial adhesion, and lower wettability and surface free energy.

Mechanical and microbiological properties of orthodontic resin modified with nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (ßAgVO3).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of incorporating the antimicrobial nanomaterial ß-AgVO3 into orthodontic resin, focusing on degree of conversion, surface characteristics, microhardness, adhesion properties, and antimicrobial activity. METHODS: The 3 M Transbond XT resin underwent modification, resulting in three groups (Control, 2.5% addition, 5% addition) with 20 specimens each. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy assessed monomer conversion. Laser confocal microscopy examined surface roughness, and microhardness was evaluated using Knoop protocols. Shear strength was measured before and after artificial aging on 36 premolar teeth. Microbiological analysis against S. mutans and S. sanguinis was conducted using the agar diffusion method. RESULTS: Degree of conversion remained unaffected by time (P = 0.797), concentration (P = 0.438), or their interaction (P = 0.187). The 5% group exhibited the lowest surface roughness, differing significantly from the control group (P = 0.045). Microhardness showed no significant differences between concentrations (P = 0.740). Shear strength was highest in the control group (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the samples with or without thermocycling (P = 0.759). Microbial analysis revealed concentration-dependent variations, with the 5% group exhibiting the largest inhibition halo (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating ß-AgVO3 at 2.5% and 5% concentrations led to significant differences in surface roughness, adhesion, and antimicrobial activity. Overall, resin modification positively impacted degree of conversion, surface characteristics, microhardness, and antimicrobial activity. Further research is warranted to determine clinically optimal concentrations that maximize antimicrobial benefits while minimizing adverse effects on adhesion properties. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Incorporating ß-AgVO3 into orthodontic resin could improve patient quality of life by prolonging intervention durability and reducing the impact of cariogenic microorganisms. The study's findings also hold promise for the industry, paving the way for the development of new materials with antimicrobial properties for potential applications in the health sector.

Influence of dental implant/mini-implant design on stress distribution in overdentures: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Critically evaluate the existing literature and answer the question, "Does the dental implant/mini-implant design influence the stress distribution in prosthetic overdentures according to finite element analysis?". METHODS: This systematic review was registered in the Open Science Framework (osf.io/2bquj) and followed the PRISMA protocols. The custom search strategy was applied to 4 databases. In vitro experimental studies that evaluated the influence of dental implant/mini-implant design on stress distribution in overdentures by FEM, without time and language restrictions, were included. The selection process was carried out in two stages by two reviewers independently. Risk of bias analysis was performed by a checklist of important parameters. RESULTS: Sixty articles were evaluated by their title and abstract, four were selected for full reading, three were relevant, and nine were included by additional search. The 12 studies have a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis could not be performed due to the heterogeneity of the data (implant type, design variation, load intensity, and direction). CONCLUSION: It can be inferred from the evaluated literature that design modifications influence the stress distribution, but as the FEM presents limitations inherent to the in vitro study, clinical trials are necessary to infer the effectiveness of the modifications. It should be noted that there is no consensus on which is the best thread design and that implants with a very narrow diameter are subject to the highest stress concentration.

Osseointegration in additive-manufactured titanium implants: A systematic review of animal studies on the need for surface treatment.

The objective of the systematic review is to find an answer to a question: "Do surface treatments on titanium implants produced by additive manufacturing improve osseointegration, compared to untreated surfaces?". This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA 2020) and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42022321351). Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, and Google Scholar databases on March 22nd, 2022. Articles were chosen in 2 steps by 2 blinded reviewers based on previously selected inclusion criteria: articles in animals that addressed the influence of surface treatments on osseointegration in implants produced by additive manufacturing. Articles were excluded that (1) did not use titanium surface, 2) that did not evaluate surface treatments, 3) that did not described osseointegration, 4) Studies with only in vitro analyses, clinical studies, systematic reviews, book chapters, short communications, conference abstracts, case reports and personal opinions.). 1003 articles were found and, after applying the eligibility criteria, 17 were used for the construction of this review. All included studies found positive osseointegration results from performing surface treatments on titanium. The risk of bias was analyzed using the SYRCLE assessment tool. Surface treatments are proposed to promote changes in the microstructure and composition of the implant surface to favor the adhesion of bone cells responsible for osseointegration. It is observed that despite the benefits generated by the additive manufacturing process in the microstructure of the implant surface, surface treatments are still indispensable, as they can promote more suitable characteristics for bone-implant integration. It can be concluded that the surface treatments evaluated in this systematic review, performed on implants produced by additive manufacturing, optimize osseointegration, as it allows the creation of a micro-nano-textured structure that makes the surface more hydrophilic and allows better contact bone-implant.

Effect of pores on cell adhesion to additively manufactured titanium implants: A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Titanium dental implants produced by additive manufacturing have pores that, depending on their size and quantity, may improve osteogenic cell adhesion without impairing mechanical properties. A systematic review of in vitro studies on this topic is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to answer the question "What is the influence of pores on osteogenic cell adhesion on titanium surfaces produced by additive manufacturing?". MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 standards and registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) (osf.io/baw59). A manual search of published articles without language or time restrictions was conducted in November 2022 in the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Embase, and in the nonpeer-reviewed literature via Google Scholar. RESULTS: A total of 1338 initial results were found, and after removing duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 13 articles were included in this review that, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool, presented a low risk of bias. Pores with larger diameters provide greater a surface area that favors cell filopodia adhesion and has interconnection that optimizes the transport of nutrients and oxygen and bone cell activity. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of pores on the surface of titanium produced by additive manufacturing increases the adhesion, migration, proliferation, and viability of osteogenic cells.

Adhesion of biofilm, surface characteristics, and mechanical properties of antimicrobial denture base resin.

PURPOSE: This study incorporated the nanomaterial, nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgVO3), into heat-cured resin (HT) at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% and compared the adhesion of multispecies biofilms, surface characteristics, and mechanical properties with conventional heat-cured (HT 0%) and printed resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AgVO3 was incorporated in mass into HT powder. A denture base resin was used to obtain printed samples. Adhesion of a multispecies biofilm of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Streptococcus mutans was evaluated by colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) and metabolic activity. Wettability, roughness, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the physical characteristics of the surface. The mechanical properties of flexural strength and elastic modulus were tested. RESULTS: HT 10%-AgVO3 showed efficacy against S. mutans; however, it favored C. albicans CFU/mL (P < .05). The printed resin showed a higher metabolically active biofilm than HT 0% (P < .05). There was no difference in wettability or roughness between groups (P > .05). Irregularities on the printed resin surface and pores in HT 5%-AgVO3 were observed by SEM. HT 0% showed the highest flexural strength, and the resins incorporated with AgVO3 had the highest elastic modulus (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The incorporation of 10% AgVO3 into heat-cured resin provided antimicrobial activity against S. mutans in a multispecies biofilm did not affect the roughness or wettability but reduced flexural strength and increased elastic modulus. Printed resin showed higher irregularity, an active biofilm, and lower flexural strength and elastic modulus than heat-cured resin.

Analysis of stress/strain distribution in dental mini-implants manufactured by additive manufacturing and machining.

The study aimed to analyze the stress/strain distribution of new designs of mini-implants manufactured by machining and additive manufacturing. Four designs were evaluated (Ø2.0 mm × 10 mm): Intra-lock, helical, threaded machined (MN threaded) and threaded by additive manufacturing (AM threaded). Analysis of stress was performed through photoelastic analysis (100 N axial/oblique loads) and analysis of strain by digital image correlation (DIC) (250 N axial/100 N oblique load). Data distribution was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test and a significance level of 5% was adopted. Quantitative data were analyzed using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. In photoelastic analysis, the Intra-lock mini-implant showed the highest stresses in the cervical (104 kPa), middle (108 kPa), and apical (212 kPa) thirds. Higher stresses were observed in the oblique loading situation for all designs. For DIC analysis, axial loading, a significant difference was observed for the AM Threaded mini-implants about the other designs in the cervical third (p = .04), with the highest strain value 47 µÎµ [10; 76]. In oblique loading, a significant difference between the mini-implants was observed in the middle and apical thirds, with higher strains for the AM threaded design -185 µÎµ [-173; 162] (p = .009) and 242 µÎµ [87; 372] (p = .013), respectively. In general, the influence of different mini-implant designs and the additive manufacturing method on the stress/strain was observed, in the photoelastic and DIC analysis. The evaluated designs demonstrated a lower concentration of stress/strain in the cervical region compared to the apical region, and higher stress/strain in situations of oblique load compared with axial load.

Osseointegration in relation to drilling speed in the preparation of dental implants sites: A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The drilling speed used for preparing dental implants may affect bone-implant contact (BIC), implant stability quotient (ISQ), and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO). Different rotational speeds and the presence or absence of irrigation during site preparation have been investigated, but an established protocol for achieving the best osseointegration results is lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the influence of drill rotational speed on bone drilling for dental implant placement and its relationship with osseointegration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This review included the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) database. Electronic searches were performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Science Direct, and Embase databases. The risk of bias was analyzed by using the systematic review center for laboratory animal experimentation (SYRCLE). RESULTS: A total of 1282 articles were found, and after removing duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria to in vivo articles on animals that addressed drilling speed and its relationship to osseointegration, 8 articles were selected for analysis. Of these, 5 articles showed no statistical differences, and 3 others showed significantly better osseointegration results by analyzing the parameters of BIC, BAFO, ISQs, and pull-out forces (PoFs). In all selected articles, high-speed drilling was performed with irrigation. CONCLUSIONS: Although drilling speed seems to affect bone perforation, no definitive protocol was found in the literature consulted. The results vary depending on the combination of different factors, including bone type, irrigation, and drilling speed.

In situ evaluation of microbial profile formed on Ti-6Al-4V additive manufacturing disks: 16S rRNA sequencing.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dental implants obtained by additive manufacturing may present changes in the microbiome formed. However, studies profiling the microbial communities formed on Ti-6Al-4V are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in situ study was to characterize the profile of the microbial communities formed on Ti-6Al-4V disks produced by additive manufacturing and machining. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Titanium disks produced by additive manufacturing (AMD) and machining (UD) were housed in the buccal region of removable intraoral devices. These devices containing both disks were used by eight participants for 96 hours. After every 24 hours of intraoral exposure, the biofilm that had formed on the disks was collected. The 16S rRNA genes from each specimen were amplified and sequenced with the Miseq Illumina instrument and analyzed. Total microbial quantification was evaluated by analysis of variance-type statistics using the nparLD package. The Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate alpha diversity (α=.05). RESULTS: A difference was found in the microbial communities formed on additively manufactured and machined disks, with a reduction in operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for the AMD group compared with the UD group. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla. Of the 1256 genera sequenced, Streptococcus predominated on both disks. CONCLUSIONS: The microbiome of the biofilm formed on the Ti-6Al-4V disks was significantly influenced by the fabrication method. The AMD disks showed lower total microbial counts than the UD disks.

Influence of surface treatment by laser irradiation on bacterial adhesion on surfaces of titanium implants and their alloys: Systematic review.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to present the current knowledge on the influence of laser surface treatment on the adhesion of bacteria to titanium and its alloys. Design: This review was structured according to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and registered on the Open Science Framework platform (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FTA3W). Article searches were performed in 4 databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Science Direct. In addition, a manual search was performed in the reference lists of the selected articles. The selection of articles was performed by two reviewers. The articles found were screened for eligibility using the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Assessment Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies (non-randomized experimental studies). Results: Most of the studies evaluated showed that surface treatment by laser irradiation can affect the adhesion of bacteria to titanium surfaces and that this is directly related to changes in surface properties such as chemical composition, morphology, roughness, and wettability, as well as the type of bacterial species involved. Conclusions: The studies considered in this systematic review have shown that surface treatment by laser irradiation is a promising technique to reduce the adhesion of bacteria on the surface of titanium implants.

Association between depression and temporomandibular dysfunction in adults - a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the literature and answer the question: "Is there an association between depression and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in adults?" METHODS: The personalized search strategy was applied to PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Articles were selected in two stages according to the eligibility criteria. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to analyze the risk of bias according to the type of study. RESULTS: The included articles presented a moderate risk of bias. Based on the studies, individuals with TMD have higher levels of depression compared to the control group. There is also a direct association in that individuals with depression are more susceptible to developing TMD. CONCLUSION: There is a probable association between depression and TMD in adults. However, more studies with high methodological quality are needed to confirm this finding.

Influence of Er:YAG laser irradiation on surface properties of Ti-6Al-4V machined and hydroxyapatite coated.

Surface treatment by laser irradiation can change the topography of titanium; however, little is known about the changes it causes when applied to other coatings. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of Er:YAG laser irradiation on the surface properties of titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) discs. Four Ti-6Al-4V surfaces were evaluated (n = 10): CON-control, machined without surface treatment; LT-machined + laser treatment; HA-hydroxyapatite coating; and LT-HA-hydroxyapatite coating + laser treatment. For the laser treatment, an Er:YAG laser with a wavelength of 2940 nm, a frequency of 10 Hz, and an energy density of 12.8 J/cm2 was used. The morphology of the coating was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and the surface composition by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The influence of laser irradiation treatment on roughness and wettability was also evaluated. The Er:YAG laser promoted a significant reduction in the roughness Sa (p < 0.05) and in the contact angle (p = 0.002) of the LT surface compared to the CON surface. On the LT-HA surface, a significant decrease in roughness was observed only for the Rz parameter (p = 0.015) and an increase in the contact angle (p < 0.001) compared to the HA surface. The use of the Er:YAG laser with the evaluated parameters decreased the surface roughness and improved the wetting capacity of machined without surface treatment. In the group with hydroxyapatite coating, the laser influenced the surface roughness only for the parameter Rz and reduced their wetting capacity.

Novel Cardiokine GDF3 Predicts Adverse Fibrotic Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) induces a repair response that ultimately generates a stable fibrotic scar. Although the scar prevents cardiac rupture, an excessive profibrotic response impairs optimal recovery by promoting the development of noncontractile fibrotic areas. The mechanisms that lead to cardiac fibrosis are diverse and incompletely characterized. We explored whether the expansion of cardiac fibroblasts after MI can be regulated through a paracrine action of cardiac stromal cells. METHODS: We performed a bioinformatic secretome analysis of cardiac stromal PW1+ cells isolated from normal and post-MI mouse hearts to identify novel secreted proteins. Functional assays were used to screen secreted proteins that promote fibroblast proliferation. The expressions of candidates were subsequently analyzed in mouse and human hearts and plasmas. The relationship between levels of circulating protein candidates and adverse post-MI cardiac remodeling was examined in a cohort of 80 patients with a first ST-segment-elevation MI and serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging evaluations. RESULTS: Cardiac stromal PW1+ cells undergo a change in paracrine behavior after MI, and the conditioned media from these cells induced a significant increase in the proliferation of fibroblasts. We identified a total of 12 candidates as secreted proteins overexpressed by cardiac PW1+ cells after MI. Among these factors, GDF3 (growth differentiation factor 3), a member of the TGF-ß (transforming growth factor-ß) family, was markedly upregulated in the ischemic hearts. Conditioned media specifically enriched with GDF3 induced fibroblast proliferation at a high level by stimulation of activin-receptor-like kinases. In line with the secretory nature of this protein, we next found that GDF3 can be detected in mice and human plasma samples, with a significant increase in the days after MI. In humans, higher GDF3 circulating levels (measured in the plasma at day 4 after MI) were significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse remodeling 6 months after MI (adjusted odds ratio, 1.76 [1.03-3.00]; P=0.037), including lower left ventricular ejection fraction and a higher proportion of akinetic segments. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings define a mechanism for the profibrotic action of cardiac stromal cells through secreted cardiokines, such as GDF3, a candidate marker of adverse fibrotic remodeling after MI. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT01113268.

Effects of photobiomodulation on auriculotherapy points for sleep disorders, anxiety, and temporomandibular dysfunctions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluatephotobiomodulation applied at auriculotherapy points forsleep disorder (SD) and anxiety related to temporomandibulardysfunction (TMD). METHODS: The study consisted of two groups of 20 participants: Auriculotherapy group (A) and Control Group(C). The participants responded to the RDC/TMD, Fletcher & Luckett questionnaires, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to analyze TMD, SD, and anxiety before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The participants presented scores corresponding to mild to moderateanxiety (MDN = 17; CI = [13.16;22.31]) and after treatment, normalor non-existent anxiety (MDN = 9; CI = [8.76; 17.12]) (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the controland 20 auriculotherapy groups for TMD and SD. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that auriculotherapy was effective in the treatment of anxiety. However, it did not prove effective with the results of the SD and symptoms of TMD.

Analysis of the influence of surface treatment by high-power laser irradiation on the surface properties of titanium dental implants: A systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: High-power laser irradiation may be a promising treatment for titanium dental implant surfaces. However, systematic reviews of the influence of high-power laser irradiation on the different properties of titanium surfaces are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the influence of surface treatment by high-power laser irradiation on the surface properties of titanium and its alloys. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PubMed, LILACS, COCHRANE library, and Science Direct databases were searched, and articles published in the last 10 years were included. Of the 725 articles initially identified, 27 were selected after full reading and the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The studies evaluated showed that laser irradiation treatment, depending on the settings and parameters used, promoted changes in the surface properties of titanium. In general, lower speed and a higher number of scans increased roughness. Laser surface treatment promoted the inclusion of more oxygen and improved the wetting capacity of titanium. Additionally, laser treatment improved the adherence of coatings. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the surface properties of titanium after laser treatment have been demonstrated. However, determining protocols with specific parameters is necessary to optimize the results.

An In Vitro Analysis of the Physical and Mechanical Behavior of a PEEK Component for an Implant-Supported and Retained Removable Dental Prosthesis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the physical and mechanical behaviors of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) before and after thermocycling, as well as its potential use as a more durable prosthetic component for implant-supported and -retained removable dental prostheses (I-RDPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Roughness and surface hardness were evaluated in specimens obtained using the subtractive method (n = 20) with a diameter of 9 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, and retention force was measured using attachments with a diameter of 4 mm and a height of 3 mm. For fatigue resistance testing, a polyurethane matrix with two ball abutment implants (MDL, Intra-Lock International) was used to simulate the mandibular alveolar ridge. A total of 40 attachments (n = 20 pairs) were placed in acrylic resin blocks using an analog technique for the direct clinical pickup of overdenture female attachments, then submitted to 2,900 insertion/removal cycles to simulate 24 months of overdenture use. Physical analyses were performed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) before and after thermocycling (5°C to 55°C for 10,000 cycles). After normal distribution was verified by Shapiro-Wilk test, one-way ANOVA was applied to analyze the surface roughness and hardness, and two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment was used to assess the retention force (α = .05). RESULTS: Thermocycling did not change the PEEK surface roughness or hardness (P > .05). As for the retention force, the highest average was observed after the thermocycling test (P = .006). CONCLUSION: Based on the FTIR, XRD, and DSC results, PEEK crystallinity decreased after thermocycling, and the physical and mechanical behaviors of this polymer were compatible with the proposed application, suggesting that PEEK is a component of greater durability for I-RDPs. Int J Prosthodont 2023;36:612-619.

Efficacy of Antimicrobial Agents in Dentifrices: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review was to verify if the presence of different antimicrobial agents in dentifrices is effective in reducing the number of microorganisms for disease prevention. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF). A search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Two independent authors reviewed the titles and abstracts according to the inclusion criteria, which comprised in vitro studies published in English that evaluated the efficacy of antimicrobial agents in dentifrices and their antimicrobial activity. A total of 527 articles were found. Of these, 334 were included for reading of the title and abstract, and 69 were selected for reading in full. In the end, 39 articles remained in this review. Triclosan, sodium fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate were the most commonly used chemical antimicrobial agents. Among the herbal agents, miswak extract and neem extract were the most commonly used. The presence of antimicrobial agents in dentifrice formulations can promote the reduction of the number of microorganisms involved in oral diseases, but with variations in their effectiveness, depending on the agent used and the microorganism evaluated.