An Evaluation of the Hydrolytic Stability of Selected Experimental Dental Matrices and Composites

Materials with potential use as dental restoration should be evaluated in an aggressive environment. Such accelerated aging is widely used in other industries and allows the assessment of service life. In the presented study, three neat resins (UDMA/Bis-GMA/TEGDMA 70/10/20 wt.%, UDMA/Bis-GMA/TEGDMA 40/40/20 wt.% and UDMA/Bis-EMA/TEGDMA 40/40/20 wt.%) and three composites based on these matrices were tested before and after aging protocols (I-7500 cycles, 5 °C and 55 °C, water and 7 days, 60 °C, 0.1 M NaOH; II-5 days, 55 °C, water and 7 days, 60 °C, 0.1 M NaOH). Flexural strength (FS), diametral tensile strength (DTS) and hardness (HV) were determined. Applied aging protocols resulted in a decrease in the value of the FS, DTS and HV. Larger changes were noticed for the neat resins. Materials in which the content of bis-GMA was lower or substituted by bis-EMA showed better resistance to degradation. The choice of mixtures with monomers characterized by lower sorption values may favorably affect hydrolytic stability. It was shown that for composites there was a drastic decrease in hardness, which suggests a more superficial effect of the used protocols. However, degradation of the surface layer can result in a growing problem over time given that the mastication processes are an inherent element in the oral environment.     

Prevalence of Orthorexia in Groups of Students with Varied Diets and Physical Activity (Silesia,Poland)

(1) Background: The literature emphasizes the role of many factors influencing the onset of eating disorders (EDs) and their mutual influence on each other. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of orthorexic behaviors in groups of health-related and non-health-related students in terms of their differential health behaviors—diet and physical activity levels. (2) The study included 300 individuals representing two equal groups of fields of study, which for the study were called the health-related field (HRF) and the non-health-related field (NRF). (3) Results: Based on the results of the dietary assessment, it was found that the best dietary model was characterized by the HRF group; in this group, 97.2% of students were characterized by a very good and good dietary mode. The NRF group, on the other hand, was dominated by a sufficient dietary mode for 64.4% of all cases in this group (94 people), while the dietary model marked as “good” was less popular, at 24.6% of this group (36 people). (4) Conclusions: Based on the cited self-research and information from the literature, it can be concluded that the problem of orthorexia is still a new issue at the level of social sciences, medical sciences, and health sciences. The psychometric tools used in this study allowed us to demonstrate the prevalence of the aforementioned eating disorders in the sample groups of students.     

A High-Sugar Diet Consumption,Metabolism and Health Impacts with a Focus on the Development of Substance Use Disorder: A Narrative Review

Carbohydrates are important macronutrients in human and rodent diet patterns that play a key role in crucial metabolic pathways and provide the necessary energy for proper body functioning. Sugar homeostasis and intake require complex hormonal and nervous control to proper body energy balance. Added sugar in processed food results in metabolic, cardiovascular, and nervous disorders. Epidemiological reports have shown enhanced consumption of sweet products in children and adults, especially in reproductive age and in pregnant women, which can lead to the susceptibility of offspring’s health to diseases in early life or in adulthood and proneness to mental disorders. In this review, we discuss the impacts of high-sugar diet (HSD) or sugar intake during the perinatal and/or postnatal periods on neural and behavioural disturbances as well as on the development of substance use disorder (SUD). Since several emotional behavioural disturbances are recognized as predictors of SUD, we also present how HSD enhances impulsive behaviour, stress, anxiety and depression. Apart from the influence of HSD on these mood disturbances, added sugar can render food addiction. Both food and addictive substances change the sensitivity of the brain rewarding neurotransmission signalling. The results of the collected studies could be important in assessing sugar intake, especially via maternal dietary patterns, from the clinical perspective of SUD prevention or pre-existing emotional disorders. Methodology: This narrative review focuses on the roles of a high-sugar diet (HSD) and added sugar in foods and on the impacts of glucose and fructose on the development of substance use disorder (SUD) and on the behavioural predictors of drugs abuse. The literature was reviewed by two authors independently according to the topic of the review. We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute open access scientific journals using the following keyword search strategy depending on the theme of the chapter: “high-sugar diet” OR “high-carbohydrate diet” OR “sugar” OR “glucose” OR “fructose” OR “added sugar” AND keywords. We excluded inaccessible or pay-walled articles, abstracts, conference papers, editorials, letters, commentary, and short notes. Reviews, experimental studies, and epidemiological data, published since 1990s, were searched and collected depending on the chapter structure. After the search, all duplicates are thrown out and full texts were read, and findings were rescreened. After the selection process, appropriate papers were included to present in this review.     

The Concept of Intrauterine Programming and the Development of the Neonatal Microbiome in the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The process of intrauterine programming is related to the quality of the microbiome formed in the fetus and the newborn. The implementation of probiotics, prebiotics, and psychobiotics shows immunomodulatory potential towards the organism, especially the microbiome of the pregnant woman and her child. Nutrigenomics, based on the observation of pregnant women and the developing fetus, makes it possible to estimate the biological effects of active dietary components on gene expression or silencing. Nutritional intervention for pregnant women should consider the nutritional status of the patient, biological markers, and the potential impact of dietary intervention on fetal physiology. The use of a holistic model of nutrition allows for appropriately targeted and effective dietary prophylaxis that can impact the physical and mental health of both the mother and the newborn. This model targets the regulation of the immune response of the pregnant woman and the newborn, considering the clinical state of the microbiota and the pathomechanism of the nervous system. Current scientific reports indicate the protective properties of immunobiotics (probiotics) about the reduction of the frequency of infections and the severity of the course of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that intrauterine programming influences the development of the microbiome for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a review of research studies.     

Factors Affecting Dental Caries Experience in 12-Year-Olds,Based on Data from Two Polish Provinces

(1) Background: Dental caries is a chronic disease that affects a child’s dentition from the first stages of life. Several factors contribute to the development of the disease, including an improper diet. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify risk factors of dental caries in 12-year-old adolescents from Greater Poland and Lubusz Provinces (Poland). (2) Material and methods: The research was conducted in adolescents from five primary schools. A questionnaire consisted of close-ended questions on socioeconomic characteristics on family, diet, and oral hygiene habits. An assessment of the dentition was carried out in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. In addition to cavitated carious lesions, incipient caries lesions were noted according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System, adapted for epidemiological studies (ICDASepiDMFt). (3) Results: The mean number of teeth with untreated caries; removed due to caries; and restored because of caries (DMFt) was 1.52 ± 1.90, while the ICDASepiDMFt index amounted to 2.64 ± 2.55, respectively. Children who did not brush every day had significantly higher odds of having ICDASepiDMFt > 0 than children brushing at least once daily (OR = 10.32, 95% CI = 1.36–78.32, p = 0.0240). Adolescents who drank sweet carbonated drinks every day had significantly higher ICDASepiDMTt than children who drank sweet carbonated drinks less frequently (p = 0.0477). (4) Conclusions: The research revealed that dental caries indices of 12-year-old adolescents from Greater Poland and Lubusz Provinces depend mainly on oral hygiene behaviors. The only significant nutritional factor that differentiated the caries intensity was the daily consumption of sweet carbonated drinks.     

Advances in Trace Element Supplementation for Parenteral Nutrition

Parenteral nutrition (PN) provides support for patients lacking sufficient intestinal absorption of nutrients. Historically, the need for trace element (TE) supplementation was poorly appreciated, and multi-TE products were not initially subjected to rigorous oversight by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Subsequently, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) issued dosage recommendations for PN, which are updated periodically. The FDA has implemented review and approval processes to ensure access to safer and more effective TE products. The development of a multi-TE product meeting ASPEN recommendations and FDA requirements is the result of a partnership between the FDA, industry, and clinicians with expertise in PN. This article examines the rationale for the development of TRALEMENT^® (Trace Elements Injection 4*) and the FDA’s rigorous requirements leading to its review and approval. This combination product contains copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc and is indicated for use in adults and pediatric patients weighing ≥10 kg. Comprehensive management of PN therapy requires consideration of many factors when prescribing, reviewing, preparing, and administering PN, as well as monitoring the nutritional status of patients receiving PN. Understanding patients’ TE requirements and incorporating them into PN is an important part of contemporary PN therapy.     

ARFID—Strategies for Dietary Management in Children

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new disease entity in DSM-5 and ICD-11. This disorder continues to pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for many professionals. This disorder can affect people of all ages. The most characteristic pattern is considered to be a lack of interest in eating or avoidance of food intake, which may result in nutritional deficiencies, weight loss or lack of expected weight gain, dependence on enteral feeding or dietary supplements, and impaired psychosocial functioning. This disorder cannot be explained by a current medical condition or co-occurring other psychiatric disorders, but if ARFID co-occurs with another disorder or illness, it necessarily requires extended diagnosis. Its treatment depends on the severity of the nutritional problem and may include hospitalization with multispecialty care (pediatrician, nutritionist, psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist). The nutritional management strategy may include, inter alia, the use of Food Chaining, and should in the initial stage of therapy be based on products considered “safe” in the patient’s assessment. The role of the dietitian in the management of a patient with ARFID is to monitor weight and height and nutritional status and analyze the foods that should be introduced into the food chain first.     

Correction: Synthesis and characterizations of YZ-BDC:Eu3+,Tb3+ nanothermometers for luminescence-based temperature sensing

Correction for ‘Synthesis and characterizations of YZ-BDC:Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ nanothermometers for luminescence-based temperature sensing’ by Lam Thi Kieu Giang et al., RSC Adv., 2022, 12, 13065–13073, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA01759H.

The authors regret the omission of a funding acknowledgement in the original article. This acknowledgement is given below.Karolina Trejgis is supported by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP).The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.