Effect of Thickness and Shade of Resin and Ceramic- Based Hybrid Materials on Color Masking Abilities and Optical Performance of CAD/CAM Materials.

Scientific data analysing color masking abilities of chairside CAD/CAM materials is lacking. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the thickness and shade influence of three materials on their optical behaviour. Three materials: a) LD: Lithium disilicate glass ceramic (Emax, Ivoclar Vivadent), b) LDS: Lithium-disilicate-strengthened aluminosilicate glass ceramic (N!ce, Straumann) and c) RNC: Resin Nanoceramic (Lava Ultimate, 3M ESPE) were polished in different shades (A1,A2,A3) and thicknesses (0.1- 1.2mm). Specimens (N=108; n=36 per group) (12x12x1mm3) were positioned on resin composite base (Clearfil AP-X, Kuraray) in shade A3. Spectrophotometric measurements were performed and the parameters thickness, shade and material were analysed using three-way ANOVA, and pairwise T-tests (P-values ⟨ 0.05). Both the shade (p⟨0.001) and the interaction of material in correlation to thickness (p⟨0.001) were significant. Shade value A1-A3 comparisons were significant A1 vs. A2 (p=0.045); A2 vs. A3 (p=0.002); A1 vs. A3 (p⟨0.001)). A significant correlation of the material and thickness was observed when comparing LD and LDS (p=0.007) at the thickness of 0.1-0.4 mm. Masking abilities were influenced by material and thickness choice. Reinforced glass ceramics showed the best results in the smallest thickness tested (0.1-0.4 mm). LDS could be considered as an advantageous alternative in minimal-invasive cases.

Niemann-Pick disease type-B: a unique case report with compound heterozygosity and complicated lipid management.

BACKGROUND: Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease characterized by deficient activity of acid sphingomyelinase. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of NPD type B with a unique compound heterozygosity for SMPD1 (NM_000543.4:c.[84delC];[96G > A]) in which both mutations that induce an early stop codon are located before the second in-frame initiation codon. The clinical presentation of the patient is compatible with NPD type B. She was initially diagnosed of Gaucher Disease, but her altered lipid profile led to a clinical suspicion of NPD. Combined high doses of atorvastatin and ezetimibe were given to treat the severe hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological management of the lipid profile in these patients is important. A unique compound mutation in SMPD1 gene is described.

Incidence of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and elevated D-dimer levels.

AIM: An increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) has been reported. Whether COVID-19 increases the risk of VTE in non-ICU wards remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the burden of asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in COVID-19 patients with elevated D-dimer levels. METHOD: In this prospective study consecutive patients hospitalized in non-intensive care units with diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and D-dimer > 1000 ng/ml were screened for asymptomatic DVT with complete compression doppler ultrasound (CCUS). The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: The study comprised 156 patients (65.4% male). All but three patients received standard doses of thromboprophylaxis. Median days of hospitalization until CCUS was 9 (IQR 5-17). CCUS was positive for DVT in 23 patients (14.7%), of whom only one was proximal DVT. Seven patients (4.5%) had bilateral distal DVT. Patients with DVT had higher median D-dimer levels: 4527 (IQR 1925-9144) ng/ml vs 2050 (IQR 1428-3235) ng/ml; p < 0.001. D-dimer levels > 1570 ng/ml were associated with asymptomatic DVT (OR 9.1; CI 95% 1.1-70.1). D-dimer showed an acceptable discriminative capacity (area under the ROC curve 0.72, 95% CI 0.61-0.84). CONCLUSION: In patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia and elevated D-dimer levels, the incidence of asymptomatic DVT is similar to that described in other series. Higher cut-off levels for D-dimer might be necessary for the diagnosis of DVT in COVID-19 patients.

Monitoring anti-Xa levels in patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism treated with bemiparin.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between therapeutic (weight-adjusted) dose of bemiparin and anti-Xa activity in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer in comparison with a cohort of patients with VTE without cancer, and its relationship with outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that comprised a cohort of patients with cancer-associated VTE and a cohort of non-cancer patients with VTE, all of them treated with bemiparin. The ethics committee approved the study and informed consent was obtained from the patients. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included (52 with cancer and 48 without cancer), with a median follow-up of 9.8 months. Mean anti-Xa activity was 0.89 (± 0.33) UI/mL in oncological patients and 0.83 (± 0.30) UI/mL in non-cancer patients (mean difference - 0.05 95% CI - 0.18; 0.06). A multiple linear regression model showed that anti-Xa peak was associated with the dose/kg independently of possible confounding variables (presence of cancer, age, sex and eGFR-estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate), in a way that for every 1 UI of dose/kg increase, the anti-Xa peak activity increased 0.006 UI/mL (95% CI 0.003; 0.009) (p < 0.001). The predictive capacity of anti-Xa peak in the oncology cohort showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.46 (95% CI 0.24-0.68), 0.70 (95% CI 0.49-0.91) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.44-0.94) for death, first bleeding and recurrence of VTE, respectively, and none was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In patients with venous thromboembolism treated with bemiparin, anti-Xa levels were not influenced by the presence of cancer.

[Current aspects of vertigo and dizziness in advanced age]. / Aktuelle Aspekte zu Gleichgewichtsstörungen im fortgeschrittenen Lebensalter.

Vertigo and dizziness in advanced age are common complaints in daily clinical practice. The otorhinolaryngologist holds a central position in the differential diagnostic clarification. Age-related disorders (e.g. benign positional vertigo, presbyvestibulopathy, otholith functional disorders) arise due to a physiological, individually distinct and objectively detectable reduction in the sensitivity of sensory and extrasensory elements of the vestibular system. They may reach pathological significance if these dysfunctions affect the physical and emotional well-being (e.g. gait disturbances and falls with subsequent morbidity). Disorders accompanying aging (e.g. neurological, cardiovascular or psychiatric) can occur simultaneously with age-related changes in sensory function. The identification, especially with respect to the risk of falling in older people and the development of individual therapeutic strategies is an interdisciplinary task. Besides a causative therapy, strength, coordination and balance training contribute to the treatment of equilibrium disorders and falls from the perspective of evidence-based medicine.

[Management of acute vertigo and dizziness : Patients in emergency departments in Germany]. / Primärversorgung von akutem Schwindel : Patienten in Notfallambulanzen in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness and vertigo are some of the most common reasons for seeking medical help. Acute dizziness and vertigo require interdisciplinary cooperation. New diagnostic methods (the video head impulse test) and modern algorithms (HINTS: head impulse test/nystagmus [direction changing]/test-of-skew) are increasingly used in case of the acute vestibular syndrome in emergency care. METHODS: In a survey on the management and participation of the ENT specialist area, the authors interviewed 168 German ENT clinics during the spring of 2017 using an online survey. RESULTS: Of the 168 departments, 100 departments participated in the survey. The specialties with first medical contact in cases with acute vertigo were ENT (48%), neurology (32%), and internal medicine (17%). Most of the patients were hospitalized. Patients with acute dizziness were referred most commonly to the ENT (62%) and neurology (16%) departments for further therapy, rarely, to internal medicine wards. For emergency diagnostic workup, the video head impulse test is frequently used in ENT (72%). CONCLUSIONS: In acute vertigo syndromes, the ENT physician has a special role and responsibility in the interdisciplinary workup, since ontological disorders are the most common cause. In any case, an ENT consultation is recommended. In German emergency departments, otorhinolaryngologists use modern diagnostic tools and algorithms such as the video head pulse test and HINTS to objectify peripheral vestibulopathy or identify central causes. Thus, this is a contribution to improving medical care.

[Otoconia : Current aspects of research]. / Otokonien : Aktuelle Aspekte aus der Forschung.

Otoconia are calcite-based nanocomposites containing >90 % calcite and <10 % organic material. The mean size is approximately 10 µm. The external structure of all otoconia in the utricle and saccule is similar, with a cylindrical bulbous body with a slightly hexagonal contour. The internal structure consists of a composite with varying volume thickness, dense branching structures (branches) and less dense surrounding areas (bellies). Intact otoconia can be clearly identified only by scanning electron microscopy. In the case of morphological changes (e.g. due to "degeneration") the origin of even very small particles of otoconia can be assigned using physical and chemical analytical methods. The inorganic component of otoconia (calcite) is extremely sensitive to chemical influences, which leads to morphological alterations. A "degeneration" of otoconia can be objectively accomplished in vitro by alterations in pH, electrolyte imbalance and by the influence of complex formation. These three main processes then lead to irreversible morphological alterations. Artificial (biomimetic) otoconia serve as a suitable model system for detailed investigation of growth and degenerative processes.

[Current aspects of ototoxicity : Local ototoxic effects, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment]. / Aktuelle Aspekte zur Ototoxizität : Lokale ototoxische Wirkungen, Diagnostik, Prävention und Therapie.

The otorhinolaryngologist is often involved in an interdisciplinary approach to diagnose ototoxic side effects. Under certain conditions, chemical agents-particularly drugs-can have ototoxic effects. This is not only true for systemic administration, but also for local application (e.g., transdermal and transtympanal). Identifying and avoiding ototoxicity is still a challenge in clinical practice. The audiological monitoring of patients receiving potentially cochleotoxic drugs is now standardized. For diagnosis of suspected vestibulotoxic effects, the video head impulse test and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials seem to be suitable procedures for objective assessment. The early detection of such ototoxic effects has important implications for the prevention of hearing and balance disorders. Recent studies show that intratympanic delivery of medications might play an important role in the limitation of ototoxically induced hearing loss. In peripheral vestibulopathies with episodic vertigo, which strongly affect quality of life, ototoxic effects can be used for therapeutic purposes.

[Current aspects of ototoxicity. Ototoxic substances and their effects]. / Aktuelle Aspekte zur Ototoxizität : Ototoxische Substanzen und deren Effekte.

Ototoxicity describes reversible or irreversible disorders of inner ear functions due to the influence of chemical, biological, or physical substances. Ototoxicity should be kept in mind during differential diagnosis of hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo. In clinical practice, drug-induced ototoxic effects play a major role. The otorhinolaryngologist should also be involved in interdisciplinary cooperation, e.g., during treatment with antineoplastic chemotherapeutic agents with potential ototoxic side effects. In clinical practice, multimedication and interactions between different agents can complicate precise correlation in individual cases. Recent studies also show that noncellular components, such as otoconia, are extremely sensitive to chemical attacks.

Results in using the Freiburger monosyllabic speech test in noise without and with hearing aids.

The Freiburger Speech Test (FST) has been the gold standard in speech testing by word recognition score in Germany for many years. Recently, it has been demonstrated that for an amount of 104 test-persons there is no significant deviation within the lists. The objective of this study was to determine the percentiles of the distinct measuring situations in quiet and with noise (e.g. applied in hearing aid fitting) and the average benefit using hearing aids. In this prospective study, 623 patients with SNHL and equipped with hearing aids for at least 3 months have been investigated by means of the Freiburger monosyllabic test (FBE) without and with hearing aids and in quiet or with noise (CCITT noise, 65/60 dB signal-noise ratio) in free field conditions at 65 dB to determine the ratio of intelligibility. To investigate the different diagnostic conditions a linear mixed model was applied. The dependent binary variable corresponds to the number of understood syllables. The average age of all subjects was about 72.6 years. The average rate of understanding in the FBE without hearing aids and in quiet was 38.5 %, with hearing aids and in quiet 67.7 %, without hearing aids and with noise 22.4 %, and with hearing aids and with noise 39.8 %. All results were presented with the depending confidence intervals. The extent of hearing loss and the quality of hearing aid fitting can be successfully measured using the FST in quiet and with background noise (CCITT noise). In quiet, an average hearing improving gain of 29.2 % points and with noise a gain of 17.4 % points could be estimated with a successful hearing aid fitting.

[Differential diagnosis "vertigo and dizziness"]. / Differenzialdiagnose "Schwindel"

Vertigo and dizziness are symptoms of interdisciplinary dimension. However, the differentiation and classification of vertigo syndromes also require experience and multidisciplinary knowledge. Since the clinical syndrome is subjective, a detailed analysis of the complaints underlying is required. International disease definitions are an indispensable tool in the differential diagnosis of vertigo syndromes today. With simple diagnostic tools eye movement disorders and nystagmus can be examined and assigned to specific vestibular disorders today. Screening tests (e.g. head impulse test) are now an important instrument in the investigation of patients with vertigo syndromes in case of emergency. With objective diagnostic methods (caloric irrigation, video head impulse test, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials) the degree of functional impairment of the five vestibular receptors can be assessed quantitatively. Furthermore, in vestibulopathies, a receptor and side-specific diagnostic assessment can be performed even with regard to dynamic aspects.

Incidence and localization of abnormal mucosa findings in patients consulting ENT outpatient clinics and data analysis of a cancer registry.

For patients without symptoms and at risk, there is no established early detection program to discover carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract in the sense of secondary prevention. Such type of prevention seems even more desirable because the chances for a cure and the quality of life are strongly dependent on the stage of the tumor and the time of the initial diagnosis. Six hundred and eight patients without symptoms but at least one of the self-reported risk factors "smoking", "alcohol consumption" or "reflux" were examined with an endoscope or an optical microscope for pathological findings in the upper aerodigestive tract once a year. In addition, the incidence of malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract between 2001 and 2010 was determined through the Cancer Registry of Schleswig-Holstein. Tissue samples were taken from 18 of the 608 patients. Eleven patients (1.8%) had a squamous cell carcinoma. Another patient suffered from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and one from larynx tuberculosis. The ratio of detected malignancies in the oral cavity and the oropharynx on the one hand and the hypopharynx and larynx, which can only be examined by endoscopes, on the other hand were in our cohorts and in our survey according to the cancer registry was 5/6. The above-described methods allow examining risk patients easily and safely. According to current publications, the ratio of the found malignancies exceeds the expected ratio significantly, which presumably was caused by the examination targeting patients at risk. Due to the expanded examination area using optical instruments more than doubles the rate of discoverable malignancies compared to the limitations posed by the examination of directly visible areas of the oral cavity of the oropharynx.

[The Mini-Audio-Test (MAT). Screening inventory for hearing loss starting at the age of 50]. / Der Mini-Audio-Test (MAT). Screening-Fragebogen zur Ermittlung einer relevanten Schwerhörigkeit ab dem 50. Lebensjahr.

BACKGROUND: Progredient hearing loss is a common symptom, which is hard to detect early. This study presents an assessment to face this problem. METHODS: 1,159 subjects between the age of 50 and 75 have been investigated by a 12 question profile about their hearing in different situations. The answers have been rated by weighted points and compared with the pure-tone audiogram of the subjects. RESULTS: 6 of the 12 questions were suitable to detect a hearing loss of 25 dB in one of the 4 frequencies 0,5-1-2-4 kHz. For subjects under age of 60 a cutoff value of 3, for subjects aged 60 years or older a cutoff value of 2 points could be set for the 6 questions including "Mini-Audio-Test" (MAT). DISCUSSION: The "Mini-Audio-Test" is able to detect a hearing loss of 25 dB at least in one of the 4 frequencies by a sensitivity of 78%, 95% confidence interval (71,8%, 83,2%), for the younger group of subjects and by 69%, 95% confidence interval (66,0%, 72,6%), for the older one. Subjects with a pathological score should be examined by an ENT-physician.