Statistical study concerning doctor’s opinion in using the Diode Laser in Endodontics

Our questionnaire-based study with 14 items proposed an investigation of the dental practitioners' opinions and knowledge of lasers, especially on the diode lasers application in Endodontics. The number of respondents was 104, with a higher percentage of 44.2% between 23-30 years old and 61.5% women. 86.5% of the participants worked in the private dental system. 80.8% of the respondents stated that they do not use the diode laser in their daily practice. Only 43.3% considered diode lasers useful in the sterilization of root canals, and 87.5% of respondents considered the sodium hypochlorite the most effective antiseptic. Among those who do not use laser systems, 76.9% were complaining about the high costs of this equipment. 65.4% of the respondents stated they never used the diode laser during endodontic treatment, and the most frequent use was for sterilizing the infected root canals. 87.5% did not know which wavelength to use in practice. Asked if they would like to learn how to use the laser system, 76.9% (80) of respondents answered affirmatively, and 45.2% of study participants said they wanted to purchase a laser system in the future. There is a great need to educate dentists to use diode lasers and make them aware of their advantages. The only problem at present is the need for more affordable laser equipment

Screening of Molecular Virulence Markers in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Clinical Infections

Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Pseudomonas (Ps.) aeruginosa are two of the most frequently opportunistic pathogens isolated in nosocomial infections, responsible for severe infections in immunocompromised hosts. The frequent emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains has determined the development of new strategies in order to elucidate the different mechanisms used by these bacteria at different stages of the infectious process, providing the scientists with new procedures for preventing, or at least improving, the control of S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa infections. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular markers of virulence in S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical specimens. We used multiplex and uniplex PCR assays to detect the genes encoding different cell-wall associated and extracellular virulence factors, in order to evaluate potential associations between the presence of putative virulence genes and the outcome of infections caused by these bacteria. Our results demonstrate that all the studied S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains synthesize the majority of the investigated virulence determinants, probably responsible for different types of infections

METHODS TO REDUCE ANXIETY APPLIED IN THE PEDODONTIC PRACTICE

Aim of the study The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of two relaxation techniques widely used in psychotherapy on anxious child patients. Material and methods We investigated a sample consisting of 56 anxious minor patients with odontal problems. First, we determined children’s anxiety levels by using the questionnaire method and biological parameters measurements. Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was the questionnaire patients had to fill in and pulse and blood pressure were the measured biological parameters. High anxiety levels demonstrated by our patients were then reduced by using two relaxation techniques both belonging to cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy. We determined and compared the effects of those techniques on children’s anxiety by statistical means. Results Jacobson’s Progressive Relaxation Technique proved to be more effective. It is very useful for the dentist to know and apply relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety which is a common problem in the pedodontic practice

IN MEMORIAM: PROFESSOR PETRE MÂLCOMETE, FOUNDER OF ROMANIAN MARKETING

At the anniversary celebration - 70 years from the founding of the Iasi Branch of the Romanian Academy, we celebrate the leading light of Professor Univ. Dr. Petre Mâlcomete by evoking biographical coordinates with specific quantitative and qualitative accumulations, as well as some characteristics and qualities that, in our opinion, made possible a long and prodigious career

COMPETITIVENESS - GROWTH FACTOR. POINT OF VIEW ON THE SITUATION IN ROMANIA

This paper considers the issue of competitiveness of national economy, making specific reference to the economic situation of Romania in the year 2010. The diversity of views on approaches to competitiveness in the literature requires consultation of reports prepared by prestigious international forums and organizations, using relevant indicators and economic variables

LONG-TERM ANTHROPOMETRIC AND METABOLIC EVALUATION OF HEALTHY NEWBORNS WITH INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION

Introduction. Birth weight is the most significant anthropometric indicator of the clinical status of neonates. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the cause of increasing death rate in neonates and is associated with adult cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the relationship between IUGR, the development of children and metabolic complications in children up to the age of five. Material and methods. We performed a prospective study over a period of 4 years (2010-2013) on a group of 622 newborns with IUGR without any reported conditions during the neonatal period. The nutritional status assessment was performed by determining the weight, length, body mass index and their integration according to age and sex, on the growth curves proposed by the World Health Organization and was compared to that of 627 IUGR infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The triglyceride, cholesterol and glucose levels were evaluated and compared with normal values for age. Results. The obesity incidence (16.1%) is significant higher (χ2=32.23, p<<0.01, 95%CI). 57.6% of cases with BMI above the normal range, and overweight increases with age (29% in 2-year-olds, vs. 56.7% in 5-year-olds). The obesity incidence decreases with age (32.9% in 2-year-old, vs. 9.1% in 5-year-olds). The evaluation of the metabolic syndrome: 18% of the investigated children had hyperglycemia, and cholesterol and triglycerides levels (f =10.34, p=0.00001, 95%CI) increase with age. 32.8% of the evaluated children had cholesterol levels above 170 mg/dl. Conclusions. Overweight and obesity incidence among children born with IUGR are increased compared to the general population. It is necessary to establish the relationship between the eating habits and the studied parameters, that could elucidate the relationship of the increasing weight and the biochemical parameters (triglycerides and cholesterol)

Dynamic Analysis of the Musical Triangles—Experimental and Numerical Approaches

This paper addresses the experimental and numerical dynamic analysis of curved bars used as percussion musical instruments. These structures are known as triangles, being made of various metal materials. The study was based on the experimental analysis of the dynamic response over time and the frequency of three types of triangles, different in material and size. Subsequently, finite element analysis of the same structures modeled with the SimCenter 12 program was performed. The results were compared, highlighting the contribution of material type and geometry in obtaining vibration modes, frequency spectrum, and structural damping coefficient. Between the experimental and the numerical analysis, the obtained errors were below 2.2% in terms of their natural frequencies. The study also highlights the complementarity of the two methods in understanding the vibration modes of triangles

Synthesis of ZnO/Au Nanocomposite for Antibacterial Applications

Annually, antimicrobial-resistant infections-related mortality worldwide accelerates due to the increased use of antibiotics during the coronavirus pandemic and the antimicrobial resistance, which grows exponentially, and disproportionately to the current rate of development of new antibiotics. Nanoparticles can be an alternative to the current therapeutic approach against multi-drug resistance microorganisms caused infections. The motivation behind this work was to find a superior antibacterial nanomaterial, which can be efficient, biocompatible, and stable in time. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of ZnO-based nanomaterials with different morphologies, synthesized through the solvothermal method and further modified with Au nanoparticles through wet chemical reduction. The structure, crystallinity, and morphology of ZnO and ZnO/Au nanomaterials have been investigated with XRD, SEM, TEM, DLS, and FTIR spectroscopy. The antibacterial effect of unmodified ZnO and ZnO/Au nanomaterials against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was investigated through disc diffusion and tetrazolium/formazan (TTC) assays. The results showed that the proposed nanomaterials exhibited significant antibacterial effects on the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, ZnO nanorods with diameters smaller than 50 nm showed better antibacterial activity than ZnO nanorods with larger dimensions. The antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus improved considerably by adding 0.2% (w/w) Au to ZnO nanorods. The results indicated the new materials’ potential for antibacterial applications

Pain Perception during Orthodontic Treatment with Fixed Appliances

The present study aimed to determine the intensity of pain perception in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. We analyzed the severity of pain concerning four routine procedures: the placement of separating elastics, ring cementations, arch activations, and elastic tractions. Our study consisted of a sample of 100 patients between 12 and 35 years old during the initial months of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The patients completed a questionnaire meant to assess their pain sensation perception. The study sample was divided according to age and sex. By determining the intensity of pain felt during the four orthodontic procedures, we found that the most painful one was the ring cementation in all four age groups. The therapeutic-arch-activation procedure ranked second, with a higher mean value (2.66) in the 18–24 age group; the least painful was considered the elastic traction procedure, with a higher value (1.33) in the group over 30 years old. The most painful period was during the first 3–4 days after procedures. Most patients showed moderate pain after following the studied orthodontic interventions and required analgesic medication, the most frequently used being Nurofen, ketonal or paracetamol. The level of pain felt was significantly higher in men than in women. Patients suffer differently from the intensity of perceived pain as they grow older