Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Two Bone Substitutes in the Treatment of Bony Dehiscences

Aim: This in vivo split‐mouth randomized controlled trial compared a synthetic bone substitute with a bovine bone mineral to cover bone dehiscences after implant insertion. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients received four to six implants to support an overdenture. Two comparable dehiscences within the same patient were first covered with a layer of autogenous bone, followed by a layer of either Bio‐Oss® (group 1; Geistlich Pharma AG, Wolhusen, Switzerland) or Straumann BoneCeramic® (group 2; Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) and sealed by a resorbable membrane. The change in vertical dimension of the defect was measured at implant placement and at abutment connection (6.5 months). Clinical and radiological parameters were evaluated up to 1 year of loading. Results: The vertical size of the defect at surgery was 6.4 ± 1.6 mm for group 1 and 6.4 ± 2.2 mm for group 2 sites, measured from the implant shoulder. After 6.5 months, the depth of the defect was reduced to 1.5 ± 1.2 mm and 1.9 ± 1.2 mm for group 1 and group 2 sites, respectively (p > 0.05). No implants failed during follow‐up. Mean marginal bone loss over the SLActive surface was 0.94 mm (group 1), 0.81 mm (group 2), and 0.93 mm (group 3, no dehiscence) after 1 year of loading. Conclusion: Both bone substitutes behaved equally effectively.     

Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins Stimulate Crosstalk between Leukocytes and Vessel Wall

Leukocyte activation and endothelial damage both contribute to cardiovascular disease, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in CKD. Experimental in vitro data link several protein-bound uremic retention solutes to the modulation of inflammatory stimuli, including endothelium and leukocyte responses and cardiovascular damage, corroborating observational in vivo data. However, the impact of these uremic toxins on the crosstalk between endothelium and leukocytes has not been assessed. This study evaluated the effects of acute and continuous exposure to uremic levels of indoxylsulfate (IS), p-cresylsulfate (pCS), and p-cresylglucuronide (pCG) on the recruitment of circulating leukocytes in the rat peritoneal vascular bed using intravital microscopy. Superfusion with IS induced strong leukocyte adhesion, enhanced extravasation, and interrupted blood flow, whereas pCS caused a rapid increase in leukocyte rolling. Superfusion with pCS and pCG combined caused impaired blood flow and vascular leakage but did not further enhance leukocyte rolling over pCS alone. Intravenous infusion with IS confirmed the superfusion results and caused shedding of heparan sulfate, pointing to disruption of the glycocalyx as the mechanism likely mediating IS-induced flow stagnation. These results provide the first clear in vivo evidence that IS, pCS, and pCG exert proinflammatory effects that contribute to vascular damage by stimulating crosstalk between leukocytes and vessels.Cardiovascular disease remains the most important cause of death among patients with CKD,¹ and it is associated with a baseline inflammatory status.^2,3 Atherosclerosis is highly prevalent and advances more rapidly in individuals with renal dysfunction compared with the general population.^4–6 A key role in the development of atherosclerosis is played by leukocyte–endothelial interactions.²CKD is characterized by the progressive retention of a host of solutes. A substantial number of these compounds is protein-bound.^7,8 The indole indoxylsulfate (IS) and the phenolic conjugates p-cresylsulfate (pCS) and p-cresylglucuronide (pCG) are prototype members of this group. Observational data associate these solutes with enhanced cardiovascular damage and progression of kidney failure, and in in vitro experiments, several underlying isolated molecular mechanisms support the link with these observational data.^8–12 Although for all three compounds, one of two key mechanisms of vascular damage (i.e., leukocyte activation or endothelial dysfunction) have been shown in separate in vitro models, they were, to the best of our knowledge, never directly assessed by evaluating the complicated crosstalk between endothelium and leukocytes in an in vivo situation. Intravital microscopy permits in vivo visualization of leukocyte recruitment in translucent tissues in real time. This technique was already applied successfully by our group to study harmful effects of peritoneal dialysis solutions on peritoneal membrane physiology.¹³The present study evaluates the effects of an acute peritoneal superfusion of the protein-bound uremic compounds IS, pCS, and pCG and also, continuous intravenous infusion of IS on the recruitment of circulating leukocytes in the rat peritoneal vascular bed using this intravital microscopic method.     

The role of mast cells in neuroinflammation

Mast cells (MCs) are densely granulated perivascular resident cells of hematopoietic origin and well known for their pathogenetic role in allergic and anaphylactic reactions. In addition, they are also involved in processes of innate and adaptive immunity. MCs can be activated in response to a wide range of stimuli, resulting in the release of not only pro-inflammatory, but also anti-inflammatory mediators. The patterns of secreted mediators depend upon the given stimuli and microenvironmental conditions, accordingly MCs have the ability to promote or attenuate inflammatory processes. Their presence in the central nervous system (CNS) has been recognized for more than a century. Since then a participation of MCs in various pathological processes in the CNS has been well documented. They can aggravate CNS damage in models of brain ischemia and hemorrhage, namely through increased blood–brain barrier damage, brain edema and hemorrhage formation and promotion of inflammatory responses to such events. In contrast, recent evidence suggests that MCs may have a protective role following traumatic brain injury by degrading pro-inflammatory cytokines via specific proteases. In neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, the role of MCs seems to be ambiguous. MCs have been shown to be damaging, neuroprotective, or even dispensable, depending on the experimental protocols used. The role of MCs in the formation and progression of CNS tumors such as gliomas is complex and both positive and negative relationships between MC activity and tumor progression have been reported. In summary, MCs and their secreted mediators modulate inflammatory processes in multiple CNS pathologies and can thereby either contribute to neurological damage or confer neuroprotection. This review intends to give a concise overview of the regulatory roles of MCs in brain disease.     

The impact of modified mania assessment scale (MAS-M) implementation on the use of mechanical restraint in psychiatric units

Abstract

Background and aim: During recent years, there has been an increased focus on reducing use of mechanical restraint in psychiatric care. Studies show that implementing an assessment tool could potentially prevent or decrease the number of episodes of mechanical restraint. This study aims to examine the association between use of the Danish assessment tool for psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with mania (MAS-M) and mechanical restraint to highlight if number, type, and duration of restraint could be prevented or reduced by this procedure.

Materials and method: This historical cohort study included psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hospitalized with symptoms of mania at the departments of affective disorders during the years 2012–2015. Logistic regression was used in the statistical analyses.

Result: A total of 218 patients were included, 74 of whom were scored with MAS-M. Thirty-five episodes of mechanical restraint were recorded. A crude OR of 1.58 (95% CI: 0.75–3.30) of the association was estimated. The study showed a tendency toward patients scored with MAS-M being more frequently restrained with both belt and straps, however, in shorter duration, compared to the control group.

Conclusion: This study reported relevant clinical information concerning staff’s use of MAS-M, however, did not show a significant association between the use of MAS-M and mechanical restraint. Nevertheless, conflicting results about the impact of MAS-M on preventing and reducing these coercive measures have been highlighted, suggesting that more complex factors influence the use of mechanical restraint. No causal effect was examined thus further studies are needed.     

Occupational stress among Swedish audiologists in clinical practice: Reasons for being stressed

Objective: The present study reports on the application of a Swedish translation of the audiologist occupational stress questionnaire (AOSQ) on audiologists working in Sweden. The relations between AOSQ scores and perceived effort, perceived rewards, coping strategies at work, demographic variables such as salary, education length, practise length, and practice type were tested. Design: A cross-sectional e-mail survey using the AOSQ, effort-reward imbalance questionnaire, and demographic questions. Study sample: Four-hundred and four Swedish licensed audiologists working with clients. Results: The Swedish AOSQ translation demonstrated high inter-item correlations and high internal consistency. Several stress factors were identified: time spent at work, accountability, leadership at the workplace, paperwork and practice demands, equipment and clinical protocols, own health concerns, and job control. The outcome on the complete AOSQ questionnaire was related to perceived effort, perceived rewards, coping strategies at work, and age. Conclusions: The Swedish AOSQ translation seems to provide a valid measure of occupational stress among audiologists.     

Medication non-adherence and uncertainty: Information-seeking and processing in the Danish LIFESTAT survey

Background

Statins are widely prescribed to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, statin non-adherence is very high.

Updating the Evidence on Functional Capacity Evaluation Methods: A Systematic Review

Objectives To synthesize the evidence on the psychometrics functional capacity evaluation (FCE) methods. Methods A systematic literature search in nine databases. The resulting articles were screened based on predefined in- and exclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently performed this screening. Included studies were appraised based on their methodological quality. Results The search resulted in 20 eligible studies about nine different FCE methods. The Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment work simulator showed a moderate predictive validity. The Ergo-Kit (EK) showed moderate variability and high inter- and intra-rater reliability. Low discriminative abilities and high convergent validity were found for the EK. Concurrent validity of the EK and the ERGOS Work Simulator was low to moderate. Moderate to high test–retest, inter- and intra-reliability was found in the Isernhagen Work-Systems (IWS) FCE. The predictive validity of the IWS was low. The physical work performance evaluation (PWPE) showed moderate test–retest reliability and moderate to high inter-rater reliability. Low internal and external responsiveness were found for the PWPE, predictive validity was high. The predictive validity of the short-form FCE was also high but need to be further examined on several psychometric properties. Low discriminative and convergent validity were found for the work disability functional assessment battery. The WorkHab showed moderate to high test–retest, inter- and intra-rater reliability. Conclusion Well-known FCE methods have been rigorously studied, but some of the research indicates weaknesses in their reliability and validity. Future research should address how these weaknesses can be overcome.