Carbon dioxide laser and bonding materials reduce enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets

Altering the structure of the enamel surface around the orthodontic bracket by reducing its content of carbonate and phosphate resulting from application of CO₂ laser may represent a more effective strategy in preventing caries in this region. This study aimed at determining whether irradiation with a CO₂ laser combined with fluoride-releasing bonding material could reduce enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets subjected to cariogenic challenge. Ninety bovine enamel slabs were divided into five groups (n?=?18): non-inoculated brain–heart infusion broth group, non-fluoride-releasing composite resin (NFRCR—control group), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), CO₂ laser + Transbond (L+NFRCR) and CO₂ laser + Fuji (L+RMGIC). Slabs were submitted to a 5-day microbiological caries model. The Streptococcus mutans biofilm formed on the slabs was biochemically and microbiologically analysed, and the enamel Knoop hardness number (KHN) around the brackets was determined. The data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (α?=?0.05). Biochemical and microbiological analyses of the biofilm revealed no statistically significant differences among the groups. Lased groups presented the highest KHN means, which statistically differed from NFRCR; however, no difference was found between these lased groups. RMGIC did not differ from NFRCR which presented the lowest KHN mean. The CO₂ laser (λ?=?10.6 μm; 10.0 J/cm² per pulse) use with or without F-bonding materials was effective in inhibiting demineralization around orthodontic brackets. However, no additional effect was found when the enamel was treated with the combination of CO₂ laser and an F-releasing material.     

Body mass interacts with fat quality to determine the postprandial lipoprotein response in healthy young adults

Background and aimsPostprandial lipemia predicts the evolution of cardiovascular disease. Obesity is associated with an increase in the magnitude of postprandial lipemia. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the effects of acute ingestion of different types of fat on the postprandial lipemic response.Methods and resultsTwenty-one healthy men followed a 4-week baseline diet and then consumed three fat-loaded meals that included 1 g fat/kg body wt (65%fat) according to a randomized crossover design. The compositions of the three meals were olive oil meal (22% saturated fatty acids (SFA), 38% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 4% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)); butter meal (35% SFA, 22% MUFA, 4% PUFA); walnuts meal (20% SFA, 24% MUFA, 16% PUFA, and 4% α-linolenic acid). Higher-weight (HW) subjects (BMI greater than the median 26.18 kg/m², n = 11) presented higher incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for triglycerides (TG), both in large- and small-TG rich lipoproteins (TRL) than lower-weight (LW) subjects (BMI < 26.18 kg/m², n = 10) (p < 0.05), and a similar trend for plasma TG (p = 0.084). Moreover, HW subjects presented higher concentrations for small TRL-cholesterol and small TRL-TG in different timepoints of the postprandial lipemia after the intake of enriched walnuts or butter meals compared with the olive oil-enriched meal (p < 0.05) No significant differences were observed between the three types of meals in the postprandial response of LW subjects.ConclusionHW subjects present a greater postprandial response than LW subjects, and they benefit from the consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil, to lower their levels of TRL particles during the postprandial state.     

Epidemiological features and specificities of HCV infection: a hospital-based cohort study in a university medical center of Calabria region

The epidemiological status of HCV in Europe, and in particular in Mediterranean countries, is continuously evolving. The genotype distribution is related to improvement of healthcare conditions, expansion of intravenous drug use and immigration. We review and characterize the epidemiology of the distribution of HCV genotypes within Calabria, an area of Southern Italy. We focus on the pattern of distinct HCV genotype changes over the last 16 years; particularly subtype 1b and genotype 4. We collected data by evaluating a hospital-based cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients; in addition, we report an update including new patients enrolled during last eight months.     

Orthodontic anomalies and malocclusions in Late Antique and Early Mediaeval period in Croatia

ObjectiveMalocclusions are relative infrequently analysed in bioarchaeological investigations and if investigated the samples are very small. This research provides analysis of orthodontic anomalies of even 1118 individuals from the Late Antique (LA) and Early Mediaeval (EM) period. Aims were to describe the prevalence of orthodontic anomalies in this historical period and to analyse which orthodontic anomalies are best suitable for bioarchaeological investigations.Methods1118 skulls were examined for anomalies of tooth number, tooth displacement (rotation, malposition, diastema and crowding) as well as for malocclusions.ResultsThe prevalence of hypodontia in the LA was 41.02% and 30.61% in the EM sample. Tooth displacement was noticed in 15.63% individuals from the LA and in 12.42% individuals from EM. About 26% of the LA sample and 7.19% of the EM sample were affected with tooth crowding and the difference was statistically significant.ConclusionOrthodontic anomalies affecting only one tooth or group of teeth are more suitable for examination in bioarchaeological investigations than orthodontic features requiring presence of both jaws and all or almost all teeth. Clinical investigation protocols and methodology should be adopted for bioarchaeological researches and international standards and recommendations should be established for this kind of investigation on skeletal remains.     

Depression and partial epilepsy: Relevance of laterality of the epileptic focus

Abstract

In a prospective study of 50 epileptic patients (20 with a left hemisphere epileptic focus, 20 with a right one and 10 with a cryptogenic generalized epilepsy), the authors show that depression as appreciated by the H.A.R.D. score, is more frequent and severe in partial epilepsy in males, and when the epileptic focus is localized on left hemisphere. This association is related to the duration of epilepsythe number of seizures, but not to age or medication status.. Vulnerability of left hemisphere to depression is analysedand neuro-chemical mechanisms are discussed. [Neurol Res 1993; 15: 136-138]     

l-dopa-induced dyskinesias in unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats are not modified by excitotoxic lesion of the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata

l -Dopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) are a troublesome complication in Parkinson's disease after long-term therapy and a major reason for surgical treatment. LIDs are effectively eliminated by surgery. We aimed to reproduce such effect in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model. Single or combined lesions with quinolinic acid were caused in the entopeduncular nucleus (EP) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats treated for 3 weeks with l -Dopa (6 mg/kg plus 15 mg/kg benserazide, i.p.). l -Dopa administration was continued for a further week following the lesion and abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) scored at the end of treatment. Neither the individual lesions of the EP and SNr nor the combined lesions had any antidyskinetic effect nor decreased the total number of rotations. These results suggest that excitotoxic lesions of neurons bodies of the output nuclei of the basal ganglia, which destroy cell bodies and spare fibers of passage, do not induce a beneficial reduction of dyskinesias in contrast to thermolytic lesions in humans (which provokes a complete tissue destruction), thus supporting the possibility that other nuclei or systems might be involved in the antidyskinetic effect of pallidotomy. Synapse 67:407–414, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Role of dental professional identification and referral of victims of domestic violence

Dental professionals can play an important role in identifying and referring victims of domestic violence. Since most of the injuries sustained by victims occur in the head and neck region, dentists are uniquely positioned to help address this enormous public health issue. Unfortunately, dentists are the least likely of all health professionals to identify and refer victims of abuse. Much of this failure may be attributed to a lack of knowledge. This article provides an overview of the types and indicators of abuse, information about screening and interviewing victims, and referral resources.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser irradiation enhances CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> formation and inhibits lesion progression on demineralized dental enamel—in vitro study

This study evaluated if Carbon dioxide (CO₂) (λ 10.6 μm) laser irradiation combined with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel application (APF gel) enhances “CaF₂” uptake by demineralized enamel specimens (DES) and inhibits enamel lesion progression. Thus, two studies were conducted and DES were subjected to APF gel combined or not with CO₂ laser irradiation (11.3 or 20.0 J/cm², 0.4 or 0.7 W) performed before, during, or after APF gel application. In study 1, 165 DES were allocated to 11 groups. Fluoride as “CaF₂ like material” formed on enamel was determined in 100 DES (n?=?10/group), and the surface morphologies of 50 specimens were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after “CaF₂” extraction. In study 2, 165 DES (11 groups, n?=?15), subjected to the same treatments as in study 1, were further subjected to a pH-cycling model to simulate a high cariogenic challenge. The progression of demineralization in DES was evaluated by cross-sectional microhardness and polarized light microscopy analyses. Laser at 11.3 J/cm² applied during APF gel application increased “CaF₂” uptake on enamel surface. Laser irradiation and APF gel alone arrested the lesion progression compared with the control (p?<?0.05). Areas of melting, fusion, and cracks were observed. CO₂ laser irradiation, combined with a single APF application enhanced “CaF₂” uptake on enamel surface and a synergistic effect was found. However, regarding the inhibition of caries lesion progression, no synergistic effect could be demonstrated. In conclusion, the results have shown that irradiation with specific laser parameters significantly enhanced CaF₂ uptake by demineralized enamel and inhibited lesion progression.     

A report on the Academic Emergency Medicine 2015 consensus conference “Diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: a research agenda to optimize utilization”

In May 2015, the Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference “Diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: a research agenda to optimize utilization” was held. The goal of the conference was to develop a high-priority research agenda regarding emergency diagnostic imaging on which to base future research. In addition to representatives from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, the multidisciplinary conference included members of several radiology organizations: American Society for Emergency Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, the American College of Radiology, and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. The specific aims of the conference were to (1) understand the current state of evidence regarding emergency department (ED) diagnostic imaging utilization and identify key opportunities, limitations, and gaps in knowledge; (2) develop a consensus-driven research agenda emphasizing priorities and opportunities for research in ED diagnostic imaging; and (3) explore specific funding mechanisms available to facilitate research in ED diagnostic imaging. Through a multistep consensus process, participants developed targeted research questions for future research in six content areas within emergency diagnostic imaging: clinical decision rules; use of administrative data; patient-centered outcomes research; training, education, and competency; knowledge translation and barriers to imaging optimization; and comparative effectiveness research in alternatives to traditional computed tomography use.