Impact on Quality of Life Following the Implantable Miniature Telescope Procedure

The purpose is to examine the impact of the Implantable Miniature Telescope procedure on the level of treatment satisfaction and quality of life of individuals with end-stage age-related macular degeneration. Six individuals who had undergone the Implantable Miniature Telescope procedure were recruited. The participants completed two survey instruments about their overall quality of life and level of treatment satisfaction post intervention. In-depth interviews were also conducted to gain a perspective of the participant’s lived experience. A moderately high quality-of-life and treatment satisfaction rating was reported by participants post intervention. Qualitative themes included loss of independence, realistic perspective about the procedure, importance of rehabilitation following the procedure, and high treatment satisfaction despite lack of improvement in visual functioning. Moderately high quality-of-life ratings and treatment satisfaction were reported despite reports of limited improvements in participants’ visual function and ability to utilize the Implantable Miniature Telescope. However, qualitative responses revealed a negative impact on quality of life in relation to their diagnosis of end-stage age-related macular degeneration, but not in direct relation to the Implantable Miniature Telescope procedure.     

Cutting efficiency of diamond burs operated with electric high‐speed dental handpiece on zirconia

Zirconia‐based dental restorations are becoming used more commonly. However, limited attention has been given to the difficulties experienced, concerning cutting, in removing the restorations when needed. The aim of the present study was to compare the cutting efficiency of diamond burs, operated using an electric high‐speed dental handpiece, on zirconia (Zir) with those on lithium disilicate glass–ceramic (LD) and leucite glass–ceramic (L). In addition, evaluation of the cutting efficiency of diamond burs on Zir of different thicknesses was performed. Specimens of Zir were prepared with thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mm, and specimens of LD and L were prepared with a thickness of 1.0 mm. Cutting tests were performed using diamond burs with super coarse (SC) and coarse (C) grains. The handpiece was operated at 150,000 rpm with a cutting force of 0.9 N. The results demonstrated that cutting of Zir took about 1.5‐ and 7‐fold longer than cutting of LD and L, respectively. The SC grains showed significantly higher cutting efficiency on Zir than the C grains. However, when the thickness of Zir increased, the cutting depth was significantly decreased. As it is suggested that cutting of zirconia is time consuming, this should be taken into consideration in advance when working with zirconia restorations.     

In vitro activity of EDTA and TOL-463 against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae quickly develops drug resistance. Time-kill curves revealed that EDTA and TOL-463 inhibit growth similar to penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. Furthermore, synergistic and additive antimicrobial interactions occurred when EDTA and TOL-463 were combined with penicillin or azithromycin, respectively, suggesting that further investigations into these unconventional antimicrobials may be advantageous.