Inlay‐retained cantilever fixed dental prostheses to substitute a single premolar: impact of zirconia framework design after dynamic loading

The purpose of this in‐vitro study was to evaluate the influence of the framework design on the durability of inlay‐retained cantilever fixed dental prostheses (IR‐FDPs), made from zirconia ceramic, after artificial ageing. Forty‐eight caries‐free human premolars were prepared as abutments for all‐ceramic cantilevered IR‐FDPs using six framework designs: occlusal–distal (OD) inlay, OD inlay with an oral retainer wing, OD inlay with two retainer wings, mesial–occlusal–distal (MOD) inlay, MOD inlay with an oral retainer ring, and veneer partial coping with a distal box (VB). Zirconia IR‐FDPs were fabricated via computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. The bonding surfaces were air‐abraded (50 μm alumina/0.1 MPa), and the frameworks were bonded with adhesive resin cement. Specimens were stored for 150 d in a 37°C water bath during which they were thermocycled between 5 and 55°C for 37,500 cycles; thereafter, they were exposed to 600,000 cycles of dynamic loading with a 5‐kg load in a chewing simulator. All surviving specimens were loaded onto the pontic and tested until failure using a universal testing machine. The mean failure load of the groups ranged from 260.8 to 746.7 N. Statistical analysis showed that both MOD groups exhibited significantly higher failure loads compared with the other groups (i.e. the three OD groups and the VB group) and that there was no significant difference in the failure load among the OD groups and the VB group. In conclusion, zirconia IR‐FDPs with a modified design exhibited promising failure modes.     

Querschnittslähmung muss heilbar werden – das ambitionierte Ziel der Wings for Life Stiftung

A causal treatment for traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is the goal of the charitable Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation, located in Salzburg. In order realize this ambitioned endeavour, since 2004 Wings for Life competitively funds selected scientific projects aiming at the neurobiological repair of the injured spinal cord.An international Medical/Scientific Board and independent Peer Review Panel composed of more than 200 renowned Scientists and Clinicians (Wings for Life-?Faculty“) specialized on Spinal Cord Injury support the Executive board selecting the most promising projects within a 2 step ?Peer Review“ procedure. To date, Wings for Life funds more than 55 research projects. The projects range from basic science (target finding), applied basic and preclinical research (target validation) to clinical trials.In collaboration with twelve respected, specialized ?non-governmental organisations“ (NGOs), Wings for Life forms the umbrella organisation ICCP (International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Injury) a world-wide network which develops synergies for responsible and effective translational research in spinal cord injury.     

Evaluation of low-viscosity bulk-fill composites regarding marginal and internal adaptation

This study aimed at evaluating the marginal and internal adaptation of low-viscosity bulk-fill composites to enamel and dentin using a self-etch or an etch-and-rinse adhesive without and with artificial ageing. Hundred and twenty-eight MOD cavities in extracted molars were assigned to eight groups (n = 16), restored with the adhesives OptiBond FL (OFL) or Xeno V+ (X) and two low-viscosity bulk-fill composites SDR or x-tra base, covered with Premise. Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill and Premise served as a control. n = 8 per group were subjected to prolonged water storage (180 days) and thermocycling (2500×). Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine marginal gaps (MG) and interfacial adhesive defects (IAD). There were no significant differences between composite types in 44 out of 48 (MG) or 43/48 (IAD) comparisons. More MG were observed with X than with OFL (14 out of 16 comparisons, two significant), while in 16 of 16 comparisons with X more IAD were observed (14 significant). After artificial ageing, MG generally increased (9/16 significant), compared to IAD (one significant). The performance of the investigated composite types concerning the integrity of the tooth-composites interface was comparable. Compared to the 1-step self-etch system, the bond with the 3-step etch-and-rinse adhesive was raised.

     

Alterations of the thrombin generation profile in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder resulting in the erosion of the cartilage and bone. Systemic involvement including the cardiovascular system with the risk of atherosclerosis may also occur. Calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT), a commercially available thrombin generation assay is suitable for the general assessment of the functionality of coagulation system. In this study we performed CAT assay in RA patients and in non-affected control subjects (matched for age, sex and comorbidities). Among the CAT parameters Velocity Index increased (from 60 to 83 nM/min), Lag Time and Time to Peak decreased (from 3.47 to 2.83 min and from 6.98 to 5.58 min respectively) in RA. On the other hand, Endogenous Thrombin Potential values decreased (from 1242 to 1108 nM min). The observed alterations were not associated with the applied therapy. These results indicate that the velocity of thrombin formation is increased, while the thrombin generating capability is reduced in RA.     

Quantitative Estimation of Plasma Free Drug Fraction in Patients With Varying Degrees of Hepatic Impairment: A Methodological Evaluation

Quantitative prediction of unbound drug fraction (f_u) is essential for scaling pharmacokinetics through physiologically based approaches. However, few attempts have been made to evaluate the projection of f_u values under pathological conditions. The primary objective of this study was to predict f_u values (n = 105) of 56 compounds with or without the information of predominant binding protein in patients with varying degrees of hepatic insufficiency by accounting for quantitative changes in molar concentrations of either the major binding protein or albumin plus alpha 1-acid glycoprotein associated with differing levels of hepatic dysfunction. For the purpose of scaling, data pertaining to albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein levels in response to differing degrees of hepatic impairment were systematically collected from 919 adult donors. The results of the present study demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of physiologically based scaling f_u in hepatic dysfunction after verifying with experimentally measured data of a wide variety of compounds from individuals with varying degrees of hepatic insufficiency. Furthermore, the high level of predictive accuracy indicates that the inter-relation between the severity of hepatic impairment and these plasma protein levels are physiologically accurate. The present study enhances the confidence in predicting f_u in hepatic insufficiency, particularly for albumin-bound drugs.