Photobiomodulation therapy on orthodontic movement: analysis of preliminary studies with a new protocol

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on the acceleration of orthodontic movements, deriving from its biostimulating and regenerative capacity on soft tissues, consequent to the increase in differentiation, proliferation, and activity of cells that are involved with alveolar bone remodeling. The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on six patients who required extractive orthodontic therapy because their ectopic canines had erupted. A total of eight canines were analyzed, four of which received laser irradiation (i.e., experimental group). Two weeks after the extractions, all canines of the experimental and placebo groups were distalized simultaneously and symmetrically with the laceback retraction technique. The PBMT protocol consisted of four cycles of laser applications, one each on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 of the study, with session treatment durations of 2-4 min. The results of the descriptive analysis on the distal displacement speed of the canines after 1 month of follow-up indicate an average displacement of 1.35 mm for the non-irradiated group and 1.98 mm for the irradiated group. Through inferential analysis, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the average speed of the irradiated canines and the control canines. The low energy density laser used in this study, with the parameters set, was found to be a tool capable of statistically significantly accelerating the distal displacement of canines

Factors Associated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Acceptance among Pregnant Women: Data from Outpatient Women Experiencing High-Risk Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications than non-pregnant women. The initial exclusion of pregnant women from anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines clinical trials has caused a lack of conclusive data about safety and efficacy for this vulnerable population. This cross-sectional study aims to define the factors related to vaccination adherence in a sample of women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. The recruited women completed a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed to evaluate the associations between socio-demographic variables and vaccination acceptance through descriptive, univariate and multivariate logistic analyses. Among the 233 women enrolled, 65.2% (n = 152) declared that they would accept the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Multivariate analysis showed that vaccination acceptance was associated with a high educational level (aOR = 4.52, p = 0.001), a low perception of barriers to vaccination (aOR = 1.58, p = 0.005) and the gynecologist's advice (aOR = 3.18, p = 0.01). About a third of pregnant women are still hesitant about the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, probably because of the conflicting information received from media, friends, acquaintances and health institutions. Determining factors linked to vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women is useful for creating vaccination strategies that increase vaccination uptake

Frequent detection of high human papillomavirus DNA loads in oral potentially malignant disorders

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is estimated to be the cause of 40-80% of the squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx but only of a small fraction of the oral cavity cancers. The prevalence of oral HPV infection has significantly increased in the last decade, raising concerns about the HPV role in progression of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) toward squamous cell carcinomas. We sought to study HPV infection in patients with oral lesions, and in control individuals, using non-invasive and site-specific oral brushing and sensitive molecular methods. HPV DNA positivity and viral loads were evaluated in relation to patient data and clinical diagnosis. We enrolled 116 individuals attending Dental Clinics: 62 patients with benign oral lesions (e.g. fibromas, papillomatosis, ulcers) or OPMD (e.g. lichen, leukoplakia) and 54 controls. Oral cells were collected with Cytobrush and HPV-DNA detected with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for the more common high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR) genotypes. HPV detection rate, percentage of HR HPVs and HPV-DNA loads (namely HPV16 and in particular, HPV18) were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Lichen planus cases had the highest HPV positive rate (75.0%), hairy leukoplakia the lowest (33.3%). This study detected unexpectedly high rates of HPV infection in cells of the oral mucosa. The elevated HR HPV loads found in OPMD suggest the effectiveness of qPCR in testing oral lesions. Prospective studies are needed to establish whether elevated viral loads represent a clinically useful marker of the risk of malignant progression

Wernicke Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review of Contributing Factors—Can Malpractice Dynamics Be Identified?

Wernicke Encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological acute syndrome related to vitamin B1 deficiency and is relatively common in patients with chronic alcoholism. In the case of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, thiamine body stores become unable to meet the increased demand, resulting in acute deficiency. WE is associated with typical clinical and radiological findings. Treatment pathways rely on thiamine replacement. The case herein reported is centered around a 33-year-old diabetic patient at 12 weeks of gestation, with WE due to hyperemesis gravidarum. The disease manifested itself with weakness, mental confusion, headache, and impaired vision. The diagnosis was established after the detection of typical findings by MRI. Thirty days after therapy was started, most of the patient's neurological disorders were resolved. The patient was discharged 40 days later with instructions to continue daily thiamine supplementation. The pregnancy outcome was good. Unfortunately, mild ataxia persisted in 2-year follow-up as a long-term consequence. When diagnosed and treated, WE has a favorable prognosis. However, roughly 80% of patients experience memory loss, which may continue for a long time, while gait disorders reportedly affect about 35% of patients. Mild ataxia and dysmetria may persist, too. We reviewed the scientific literature on WE in women with HG until February 2023. Hardly any authors report data on long-term sequelae. Our report emphasizes how important it is to take into consideration this complication in clinical practice, referring to published guidelines and recommendations. Neurological maternal sequelae can demonstrably persist despite early diagnosis and appropriate management. For this reason, a long-term follow-up is recommended. Wernicke syndrome management cannot yet rely on well-established conclusive guidelines; hence, a cautionary approach ought to be prioritized in order to ensure medicolegal soundness

CO2 and diode lasers vs. conventional surgery in the disinclusion of palatally impacted canines: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Background: The aim of this RCT is to show the effectiveness of laser technology for the exposure of palatally impacted canines, using a CO2 or diode laser, and to evaluate the possible bio-stimulation effect of the laser on the spontaneous eruption of the canine. Methods: This study was carried out on a sample of 27 patients, divided randomly into three groups: treated with a CO2 laser (Group A), treated with a diode laser (Group B), and treated with a cold blade (Group C). Monitoring was performed at 1, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery, through photo and digital scans performed with a CS3500 intraoral scanner. Results: It was found that the average total eruptions are 4.55 mm for Group A, 5.36 mm for Group B, and 3.01 mm for Group C. The difference in eruption between groups A and B is not significant. Comparing the laser groups with the control group, it has emerged that the difference in eruption is statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant tooth movement was observed in both Groups A and B. The response of the canine to the bio-stimulation of the laser can be considered effective, resulting in a statistically significant difference between the study groups and the control group. Both lasers have the same bio-stimulatory action on the eruption of canines

Training Effects on ROS Production Determined by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance in Master Swimmers

Acute exercise induces an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production dependent on exercise intensity with highest ROS amount generated by strenuous exercise. However, chronic repetition of exercise, that is, exercise training, may reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6-weeks high-intensity discontinuous training (HIDT), characterized by repeated variations of intensity and changes of redox potential, on ROS production and antioxidant capacity in sixteen master swimmers. Time course changes of ROS generation were assessed by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance in capillary blood by a microinvasive approach. An incremental arm-ergometer exercise (IE) until exhaustion was carried out at both before (PRE) and after (POST) training (Trg) period. A significant (P<0.01) increase of ROS production from REST to the END of IE in PRE Trg (2.82±0.66 versus 3.28±0.66 µmol·min−1) was observed. HIDT increased peak oxygen consumption (36.1±4.3 versus 40.6±5.7 mL·kg−1·min−1 PRE and POST Trg, resp.) and the antioxidant capacity (+13%) while it significantly decreased the ROS production both at REST (−20%) and after IE (−25%). The observed link between ROS production, adaptive antioxidant defense mechanisms, and peak oxygen consumption provides new insight into the correlation between ROS response pathways and muscle metabolic function

Effectiveness of KTP laser versus 980nm diode laser to kill Enterococcus faecalis in biofilms developed in experimentally infected root canals

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial action of KTP (potassium-titanyl-phosphate) laser irradiations (compared with 980nm diode laser), associated with conventional endodontic procedures, on Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. Fifty-six dental roots with single canals were prepared with Ni-Ti rotary instruments, autoclaved, inoculated with an E.faecalis suspension and incubated for 72h. They were randomly allocated to control and treatment groups. Laser parameters were as follows: power 2.5W, Ton 35ms, Toff 50ms (KTP laser); power 2.5W, Ton 30ms, Toff 30ms (980nm diode laser). To evaluate the residual bacterial load, BioTimer Assay was employed. The chemo-mechanical treatment together with laser irradiations (KTP and 980nm diode lasers) achieved a considerable reduction of bacterial load (higher than 96% and 93%, respectively). Regarding both laser systems, comparisons with conventional endodontic procedures (mortality rate of about 67%) revealed statistically highly significant differences (P≤0.01). This study confirms that laser systems can provide an additional aid in endodontic disinfection. © 2014 Australian Society of Endodontology

Evaluation of photodynamic therapy using a diode laser 635 nm as an adjunct to conventional chemo-mechanical edodontic procedures against enterococcus faecalis biofilm: ex-vivo study

The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the use of Toluidine Blue (TB) on extracted teeth infected with biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis. Fifty-four extracted teeth with single-roots and single canals were mechanically shaped, autoclaved, and contaminated with E. faecalis. They were randomly divided into six groups: two groups were negative and positive control groups, two groups were subjected to mechanical instrumentation and PDT with different pre-irradiation times and irradiation times, and two groups were subjected to chemo-mechanical endodontic treatment and PDT with different pre-irradiation times and irradiation times. In PDT groups, after the application of TB, the canals were irradiated with a diode laser of wavelength 635 nm, with a fiber diameter of 200 μm and 100 mW of power in continuous mode. The bacterial load was evaluated using a BioTimer Assay protocol. The greatest reduction of bacterial load was observed in groups of combined PDT with chemo-mechanical treatment. The reductions of bacterial load in groups of combined PDT with chemo-mechanical treatment, and in the positive control group, were significant (p &lt; 0.01) when compared to that of the negative control group. Photodynamic therapy as an adjunctive modality may improve the disinfection capacity of conventional endodontic treatment against E. faecalis