Descriptive retrospective study analyzing relevant factors related to dental implant failure.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this retrospective descriptive study was to analyze the characteristics of incident reports provided by dentists while using a specific brand of dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in collaboration with Oxtein Iberia S.L., with the company providing access to the incident database in order to evaluate the characteristics of incidents from January 2014 to December 2017 (a total of 917 over four years). The data sheet recorded different variables during each of the stages of implant treatment, from initial implant placement to subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation. These variables included age, sex, systemic pathologies, smoking habits, bone quality, implant type, prosthesis type, and type of load applied, among others. SPSS Statistics was used to perform statistical analysis of the qualitative variables (univariate logistic regressions, χ2 test, Haberman's adjusted standardized residuals). RESULTS: The total study sample consisted of 44,415 implants shipped from Oxtein warehouses on the dates indicated, of which 917 implants (2.1%) were flagged due to reports of lack of primary stability, failed osseointegration, or implant failure within one year of placement. When analyzing incident reports, it was observed that 61.6% of incidents occurred in male patients, compared to 38.4% in female patients. The average age of patients in the reported cases was 56.12 ± 12.15 years. A statistically significant correlation was discovered between incidents of implant failure and tobacco use, diabetes, heart disease, poor oral hygiene, previous infection, poor bone quality, and bruxism (p < 0.05). A (statistically significant) higher rate of incidents was also observed in tapered, internal connection, Grade IV titanium, narrow, and short implants. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of these implants reveals a higher rate of complication in short, tapered, internal connection and narrow-diameter implants. These data can help and encourage clinicians to use the utmost surgical precautions when placing these implants.

Factors associated with treatment delays in pediatric refractory convulsive status epilepticus.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with treatment delays in pediatric patients with convulsive refractory status epilepticus (rSE). METHODS: This prospective, observational study was performed from June 2011 to March 2017 on pediatric patients (1 month to 21 years of age) with rSE. We evaluated potential factors associated with increased treatment delays in a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: We studied 219 patients (53% males) with a median (25th-75th percentiles [p25-p75]) age of 3.9 (1.2-9.5) years in whom rSE started out of hospital (141 [64.4%]) or in hospital (78 [35.6%]). The median (p25-p75) time from seizure onset to treatment was 16 (5-45) minutes to first benzodiazepine (BZD), 63 (33-146) minutes to first non-BZD antiepileptic drug (AED), and 170 (107-539) minutes to first continuous infusion. Factors associated with more delays to administration of the first BZD were intermittent rSE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.09; p = 0.0467) and out-of-hospital rSE onset (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.11-2.04; p = 0.0467). Factors associated with more delays to administration of the first non-BZD AED were intermittent rSE (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.4; p = 0.001) and out-of-hospital rSE onset (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.67-3.02; p < 0.0001). None of the studied factors were associated with a delayed administration of continuous infusion. CONCLUSION: Intermittent rSE and out-of-hospital rSE onset are independently associated with longer delays to administration of the first BZD and the first non-BZD AED in pediatric rSE. These factors identify potential targets for intervention to reduce time to treatment.

Evaluation of effect of high frequency electromagnetic field on growth and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria.

This study was aimed to evaluate the impact of high frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF at 900 and 1800 MHz) on DNA, growth rate and antibiotic susceptibility of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and P. aeruginosa. In this study, bacteria were exposed to 900 and 1800 MHz for 2 h and then inoculated to new medium when their growth rate and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. Results for the study of bacterial DNA unsuccessful to appearance any difference exposed and non-exposed S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Exposure of S. epidermidis and S. aureus to electromagnetic fields mostly produced no statistically significant decrease in bacterial growth, except for S. aureus when exposure to 900 MHz at 12 h. Exposure of P. aeruginosa to electromagnetic fields at 900 MHz however, lead to a significant reduction in growth rate, while 1800 MHz had insignificant effect. With the exception of S. aureus, treated with amoxicillin (30 µg) and exposed to electromagnetic fields, radiation treatment had no significant effect on bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics.

Histological and histomorphometric study using an ultrasonic crestal sinus grafting procedure. A multicenter case study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrodynamic ultrasonic driven transcrestal sinus grafting procedure (Intralift ®, Acteon Company, Bordeaux, France) and the use of a bovine high temperature sintered grafting material in sinus sites with less than 5 mm remaining bone height with no additional autogenous bone in order to create a sufficient recipient site for implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 12 patients (16 sinus) in this multicenter case study were included. Using a crestal approach, bone under the sinus was prepared with ultrasonic tips until the Schneiderian membrane was reached. With a trumpet shaped instrument, the Schneiderian membrane was elevated. In the new created subantral space a high temperature sintered bovine grafting material was introduced (Bego Oss, BEGO Implant Systems GmbH & Co. KG, Bremen, Germany). After 6 months biopsies were taken with a trephine bur and histologies were generated following histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The results showed new vital bone in average of 33.4% ± 17.05%, and 43.6% ± 16.70 of bone substitute material. No signs of abnormal inflammation were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure (Intralift ®) allows, using a bovine material with no additional autogenous bone, new bone formation in the sinus in order to allow place implant subantraly.

Mycelium of fungi isolated from mouldy foods inhibits Staphylococcus aureus including MRSA - A rationale for the re-introduction of mycotherapy?

Fungal mycelium capable of producing antibacterial agents was isolated from samples of apple, beetroot, lemon and orange; the mycelium of all isolates produced penicillin, while the apple and beetroot samples also produced the antibacterial mycotoxin patulin. The known penicillin-producing fungi were shown to produce penicillin, but not patulin. The mycelial discs of all of fruit and vegetable isolates, as well as the two known penicillin producing fungi, inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, and mycelium of all isolates inhibited MRSA, in contrast, only one of the two known penicillin-producers did so. The results are discussed in relation to the possibility of using the mycelium of Penicillium species in mycotherapy.

Biological Principles and Physiology of Bone Regeneration under the Schneiderian Membrane after Sinus Lift Surgery: A Radiological Study in 14 Patients Treated with the Transcrestal Hydrodynamic Ultrasonic Cavitational Sinus Lift (Intralift).

Introduction. Sinus lift procedures are a commonly accepted method of bone augmentation in the lateral maxilla with clinically good results. Nevertheless the role of the Schneiderian membrane in the bone-reformation process is discussed controversially. Aim of this study was to prove the key role of the sinus membrane in bone reformation in vivo. Material and Methods. 14 patients were treated with the minimal invasive tHUCSL-Intralift, and 2 ccm collagenous sponges were inserted subantrally and the calcification process followed up with CBCT scans 4 and 7 months after surgery. Results. An even and circular centripetal calcification under the sinus membrane and the antral floor was detected 4 months after surgery covering 30% of the entire augmentation width/height/depth at each wall. The calcification process was completed in the entire augmentation volume after 7 months. A loss of approximately 13% of absolute augmentation height was detected between the 4th and 7th month. Discussion. The results of this paper prove the key role of the sinus membrane as the main carrier of bone reformation after sinus lift procedures as multiple experimental studies suggested. Thus the importance of minimal invasive and rupture free sinuslift procedures is underlined and does not depend on the type of grafting material used.

Interim analysis of long-term intraduodenal levodopa infusion in advanced Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: This interim 12-month analysis is a part of an open-label, observational, prospective study on health outcomes and cost impact of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG, Duodopa) in Parkinson disease (PD). The specific aim was to investigate clinical and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) effects in routine care. METHODS: Unified PD rating scale (UPDRS) was the primary efficacy measurement. PD QoL questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39) assessed HRQoL. Subjects were assessed at baseline, ≥3 months after surgery, and then every 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty-seven treatment-naïve subjects when started with LCIG showed a decrease in UPDRS score that was statistically significant throughout the year: UPDRS total score (mean ± SD), baseline = 52.1 ± 16.1, N = 27, month 0 (first visit; at least 3 months after permanent LCIG) = 43.1 ± 16.7, N = 27, P = 0.003; month 12 = 42.5 ± 22.6, n = 25, P = 0.017. PDQ-39 results also showed a tendency for improvement: PDQ-39 (mean ± SD), baseline = 33.6 ± 10.8, N = 27, month 0 = 27.1 ± 11.8, N = 27, P = 0.001; 12 months = 28.8 ± 12.8, n = 23, P = 0.126. CONCLUSIONS: LCIG provides functional improvement beginning at first visit that is sustained for 12 months.

Liver transplantation followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for atypical mevalonic aciduria.

Mevalonic aciduria because of mutations of the gene for mevalonate kinase causes limited synthesis of isoprenoids, the effects of which are widespread. The outcome for affected children is poor. A child with severe multisystem manifestations underwent orthotopic liver transplantation at age 50 months for the indication of end-stage liver disease. This procedure corrected liver function and eliminated portal hypertension, and the patient showed substantial improvement in neurological function. However, autoinflammatory episodes continued unabated until hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was performed at 80 months. Through this complex therapy, the patient now enjoys a high quality of life without significant disability.

PDBe: Protein Data Bank in Europe.

The Protein Data Bank in Europe (PDBe; pdbe.org) is a partner in the Worldwide PDB organization (wwPDB; wwpdb.org) and as such actively involved in managing the single global archive of biomacromolecular structure data, the PDB. In addition, PDBe develops tools, services and resources to make structure-related data more accessible to the biomedical community. Here we describe recently developed, extended or improved services, including an animated structure-presentation widget (PDBportfolio), a widget to graphically display the coverage of any UniProt sequence in the PDB (UniPDB), chemistry- and taxonomy-based PDB-archive browsers (PDBeXplore), and a tool for interactive visualization of NMR structures, corresponding experimental data as well as validation and analysis results (Vivaldi).

Hydrodynamic ultrasonic maxillary sinus lift: review of a new technique and presentation of a clinical case.

OBJECTIVES: Placing implants in the posterior maxillary area has the drawback of working with scarce, poor quality bone in a significant percentage of cases. Numerous advanced surgical techniques have been developed to overcome the difficulties associated with these limitations. Subsequent to reports on the elevation of the maxillary sinus through the lateral approach, there were reports on the use of the crestal approach, which is less aggressive but requires a minimal amount of bone. Furthermore, it is more sensitive to operator technique, as the integrity of the sinus membrane is checked indirectly. The aim of this paper is to review the technical literature on minimally invasive sinus lift and compare the advantages of different techniques with Intralift™, a new technique. STUDY DESIGN: The present study is a review of techniques used to perform minimally invasive sinus lift published in Cochrane, Embase and Medline over the past ten years and the description of the crestal sinus lift technique based on minimally invasive piezosurgery, with the example of a case report. RESULTS: Only eight articles were found on minimally invasive techniques for sinus lift. The main advantage of this new technique, Intralift, is that it does not require a minimum amount of crestal bone (indeed, the smaller the width of the crestal bone, the better this technique is performed). The possibility of damage to the sinus membrane is minimised by using ultrasound based hydrodynamic pressure to lift it, while applying a very non-aggressive crestal approach. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this technique is an advance in the search for less traumatic and aggressive techniques, which is the hallmark of current surgery.

Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) for the treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis

A photodynamic effect occurs when photosensitiser molecules absorb light and dissipate the absorbed energy by transferring it to biological acceptors (usually oxygen), generating an excess of reactive species that are able to force cells into death pathways. Several tropical diseases present physiopathological aspects that are accessible to the application of a photosensitiser and local illumination. In addition, disease may be transmitted through infected blood donations, and many of the aetiological agents associated with tropical diseases have been shown to be susceptible to the photodynamic approach. However, there has been no systematic investigation of the application of photoantimicrobial agents in the various presentations, whether to human disease or to the disinfection of blood products or even as photo-insecticides. We aim in this review to report the advances in the photoantimicrobial approach that are beneficial to the field of anti-parasite therapy and also have the potential to facilitate the development of low-cost/high-efficiency protocols for underserved populations.

Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) for the treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.

A photodynamic effect occurs when photosensitiser molecules absorb light and dissipate the absorbed energy by transferring it to biological acceptors (usually oxygen), generating an excess of reactive species that are able to force cells into death pathways. Several tropical diseases present physiopathological aspects that are accessible to the application of a photosensitiser and local illumination. In addition, disease may be transmitted through infected blood donations, and many of the aetiological agents associated with tropical diseases have been shown to be susceptible to the photodynamic approach. However, there has been no systematic investigation of the application of photoantimicrobial agents in the various presentations, whether to human disease or to the disinfection of blood products or even as photo-insecticides. We aim in this review to report the advances in the photoantimicrobial approach that are beneficial to the field of anti-parasite therapy and also have the potential to facilitate the development of low-cost/high-efficiency protocols for underserved populations.

Real-time imaging of bacteria in living mice using a fluorescent dye.

A novel technique developed in the laboratories of Bradley D. Smith and David Piwnica-Worms for imaging bacterial infections in intact living nude mice using a novel fluorescent dye, a conjugate of a NIR carbocyanine dye and two zinc(II) dipicolylamine units, allows relatively deep imaging of bacterial infection in real time. The behavior of the mice indicated good tolerance of the probe. The probe's water-octanol partition coefficient calculated by Hansch and Leo's procedure demonstrates that it is slightly lipophilic and therefore could enter mouse cells. Extant values of the physicochemical and spectroscopic parameters relevant to practical use are tabulated.

Identifying apoptotic cells with the 3-hydroxyflavone derivative F2N12S, a ratiometric fluorescent small molecule probe selective for plasma membranes: a possible general mechanism for selective uptake into apoptotic cells.

The mechanism of selective targeting of the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells by F2N12S, a recently reported ratiometric, fluorescent small molecule probe, was analyzed using decision-rule QSAR models. Selectivity was determined by a combination of the probe's weak amphiphilicity and slow flip-flop with the increased plasma membrane fluidity of apoptotic cells. The probable chemical features required for such probes may be defined in terms of numerical structural parameters as: 3.5 < AI < ∼ 5.5; log P < 5.0; HGS > 400 (where AI, log P and HGS parameters model amphiphilicity, lipophilicity and headgroup size, respectively). When HGS is <400, compounds are initially membrane selective, but subsequently are internalized.

Dyes, trypanosomiasis and DNA: a historical and critical review.

Trypanosomiasis, a group of diseases including sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in cattle in Africa, and Chagas' disease in South America, remains a considerable problem in the 21(st) century. The therapies that are available, however, usually have their roots in the "dye therapy" of a century ago, knowledge gained at the microscope from parasite staining procedures and converted to chemotherapy based on compounds closely related to the laboratory reagents. Dyes such as trypan red and trypan blue led to the development of suramin, while cationic nitrogen heterocyclic dyes furnished examples of the phenanthridinium class, such as ethidium (homidium) and isometamidium. Both suramin and isometamidium remain in use. Owing to mutagenicity issues, the presence of ethidium among the phenanthridinium dyes has led to concerns over the clinical use of related derivatives. There are several mechanisms for dye-DNA interaction, however, including possible hydrogen bonding of dye to the polymer, and these are discussed together with structure-activity relations and cellular localization of the phenanthridine and isomeric acridines involved. Better understanding of nucleic acid binding properties has allowed the preparation of more effective phenanthridinium analogues intended for use as anticancer/antiviral therapy.

Photoantimicrobials as a potential local approach to geriatric UTIs.

AIMS: To test the efficacy of acceptable photoantimicrobial agents against bacterial pathogens implicated in complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in comparison with conventionally employed antibacterials. METHODS AND RESULTS: Toluidine blue (TB), methylene blue (MB), 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA), trimethoprim and levofloxacin were employed in the study against the typical UTI-implicated pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus mirabilis. Standard bacterial cell culture was used to assay the activity both in the dark and under 660-nm LED-illuminated conditions. TB and MB were highly photoactive across the range and exhibited rapid kill rates, their effects being assayed after 20-min illumination, rather than the 18-h incubation employed with the other compounds. Trimethoprim was inactive against all bacteria except Pr. mirabilis, while levofloxacin maintained highly bactericidal activity throughout. ALA required high concentrations for effective action but, for porphyrin production in situ, also required an 18-h incubation. CONCLUSIONS: TB and MB were highly and rapidly photobactericidal in comparison with the remaining agents tested. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Ubiquitous catheterization of geriatric patients offers a portal for light delivery to the urinary tract. The photoantimicrobial approach thus offers considerable potential.

A nitrobenzofuran-conjugated phosphatidylcholine (C12-NBD-PC) as a stain for membrane lamellae for both microscopic imaging and spectrofluorimetry.

The use of C12-nitrobenzofuran-conjugated phosphatidylcholine (NBD-PC) for staining intracellular lipid in the form of membrane lamellae present in cultured cell monolayers, which recently was reported by Kasahara et al., is summarized and commented on. This is the first report of this fluorochrome's application as a "dye" rather than as a fluorescent lipid analogue. Analysis using the log P parameter suggests that the observed efficacy of the C12 form, compared to the non-staining character of the C6 form, may be attributed to insufficient partitioning of the latter into lipid. Confusion of the terms "dye" or "stain" and "fluorescent lipid analogue" in the current literature is addressed here. Optical and other physicochemical properties of the stain useful for practical laboratory purposes are summarized from various sources.

Bacillus aerius sp. nov., Bacillus aerophilus sp. nov., Bacillus stratosphericus sp. nov. and Bacillus altitudinis sp. nov., isolated from cryogenic tubes used for collecting air samples from high altitudes.

Four novel bacterial strains were isolated from cryogenic tubes used to collect air samples at altitudes of 24, 28 and 41 km. The four strains, 24K(T), 28K(T), 41KF2a(T) and 41KF2b(T), were identified as members of the genus Bacillus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that three of the strains, 24K(T), 28K(T) and 41KF2a(T), are very similar to one another (>98 % sequence similarity) and show a similarity of 98-99 % with Bacillus licheniformis and 98 % with Bacillus sonorensis. DNA-DNA hybridization studies showed that strains 24K(T), 28K(T) and 41KF2a(T) exhibit <70 % similarity with each other and with B. licheniformis and B. sonorensis. Differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics between the novel strains and B. licheniformis and B. sonorensis further confirmed that these three isolates are representatives of three separate novel species. Strain 41KF2b(T) showed 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Bacillus pumilus, but differed from its nearest phylogenetic neighbour in a number of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and showed only 55 % DNA-DNA relatedness. Therefore, the four isolates represent four novel species for which the names Bacillus aerius sp. nov. (type strain, 24K(T)=MTCC 7303(T)=JCM 13348(T)), Bacillus aerophilus sp. nov. (type strain, 28K(T)=MTCC 7304(T)=JCM 13347(T)), Bacillus stratosphericus sp. nov. (type strain, 41KF2a(T)=MTCC 7305(T)=JCM 13349(T)) and Bacillus altitudinis sp. nov. (type strain, 41KF2b(T)=MTCC 7306(T)=JCM 13350(T)) are proposed.

Genome-wide scan of IQ finds significant linkage to a quantitative trait locus on 2q.

A genome-wide linkage scan of 795 microsatellite markers (761 autosomal, 34 X chromosome) was performed on Multidimensional Aptitude Battery subtests and verbal, performance and full scale scores, the WAIS-R Digit Symbol subtest, and two word-recognition tests (Schonell Graded Word Reading Test, Cambridge Contextual Reading Test) highly predictive of IQ. The sample included 361 families comprising 2-5 siblings who ranged in age from 15.7 to 22.2 years; genotype, but not phenotype, data were available for 81% of parents. A variance components analysis which controlled for age and sex effects showed significant linkage for the Cambridge reading test and performance IQ to the same region on chromosome 2, with respective LOD scores of 4.15 and 3.68. Suggestive linkage (LOD score>2.2) for various measures was further supported on chromosomes 6, 7, 11, 14, 21 and 22. Where location of linkage peaks converged for IQ subtests within the same scale, the overall scale score provided increased evidence for linkage to that region over any individual subtest. Association studies of candidate genes, particularly those involved in neural transmission and development, will be directed to genes located under the linkage peaks identified in this study.