New Perspectives in Manufacturing: An Assessment for an Advanced Reconfigurable Machining System

Traditionally manufacturing cycle involves several production processes that are carried out according to the required technologies tacking into account the constraint due to the production capacity provided by machine tools and the customers' orders time schedule In this paper, a new modular, reconfigurable and scalable machining centre is presented. The resulting system is characterized by the possibility of modifying the machining capacity as well as exchanging the role between workpieces and machining/operating resources. This augmented flexibility creates new opportunities for efficient manufacturing; however, the increased system complexity demands a new approach for the jobs scheduling and machining control. An architecture based on agents modelling is proposed and discussed

The use of a non-absorbable membrane as an occlusive barrier for alveolar ridge preservation: A one year follow-up prospective cohort study

The aims of this study were to obtain preliminary data and test the clinical efficacy of a novel nonporous dense-polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane (permamem®, botiss) in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures with a flapless approach. A traumatic extraction was performed in the premolar maxillary area, and a d-PTFE membrane was used to seal the alveolar cavity: no biomaterial was used to graft the socket and the membrane was left intentionally exposed and stabilized with sutures. The membrane was removed after four weeks and dental implants were placed four months after the procedure. The primary outcome variables were defined as the dimensional changes in the ridge width and height after four months. A total of 15 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean width of the alveolar cavity was 8.9 ± 1.1 mm immediately after tooth extraction, while four months later a mean reduction of 1.75 mm was experienced. A mean vertical reduction of 0.9 ± 0.42 mm on the buccal aspect and 0.6 ± 0.23 mm on the palatal aspect were recorded at implant placement. Within the limitations of this study, the d-PTFE membrane proved to be effective in alveolar ridge preservation, with the outcomes of the regeneration not affected by the complete exposure of this biomaterial

Abrasive Grains Micro Geometry: A Comparison between Two Acquisition Methods

Abstract One of the aspects that makes difficult grinding processes modelling is the non-deterministic nature of the cutting tool, in particular the abrasive grains of the grinding wheel have a random distribution and an undefined geometry that influences the grinding forces. In order to develop a reliable 3D model of the grinding process the actual microgeometry of abrasive grains must be acquired. This paper compares the results of two different acquisition methods: the geometry acquired via a laser non-contact instrument is confronted with the one acquired using a computer tomography; the accuracy of the grain micro geometry provided by the two approaches is discussed

Modified Zadek osteotomy without excision of the intratendinous calcific deposit is effective for the surgical treatment of calcific insertional Achilles tendinopathy

Introduction: Nonoperative management of calcific insertional Achilles tendinopathy (CIAT) may fail in 10-30% of patients, and various operative procedures have been described to manage those. Methods: A modified Zadek (dorsal closing wedge) calcaneal osteotomy, without removing the calcific deposits and without detaching the insertion of the Achilles tendon, was performed between November 2016 and December 2017 in 25 consecutive patients (mean age 53.5 years), who were followed for at least 2 years. Results: The osteotomies had united at an average of 5 weeks. Two superficial wound infections (8%) were documented. Patients had returned to their normal activities at an average time of 23 +/- 7.7 weeks. Three out of four patients, who practised recreational sport activity, returned to their pre-injury level. VAS and VISA-A scores had significantly improved at 3 months postoperatively (p < .001) and continued to improve for 24 months. Conclusion: The modified Zadek osteotomy, without excision of the intra-tendinous calcification, was safe, and significantly improved clinical outcome in patients with CIAT at 2 years after surgery. Level of evidence IV. (c) 2020 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Long-term clinical and radiographic analysis of platform matching and platform switching implants in the esthetic zone: a retrospective cohort study

Background: The aims of this study are to retrospectively compare the clinical, radiographic and esthetic outcomes of platform switching (PS) and platform matching (PM) dental implants in the anterior maxilla after ≥ 10 years of functional loading. Methods: Marginal bone loss (MBL) levels were recorded; furthermore, peri-implant clinical parameters (PPD, BOP, PI) were collected and the Pink and White Esthetic scores (PES/WES) were used to evaluate the esthetic outcomes. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed to compare collected parameters among the two groups, with a p-value < 0.05. Results: A final sample of 58 patients was enrolled in this study (PM implants = 29; PS implants = 29). PS implants showed lower MBL levels (1.02 ± 0.81 mm vs. 1.67 ± 0.99 mm, p = 0.028) and PPD values (3.69 ± 1.1 vs. 5.16 ± 1.09 mm, p < 0.001) compared to PM implants. Mean PES values were higher in the PS group compared to the PM group (8.46 ± 0.69 vs. 7.89 ± 0.78, p < 0.005), while there were no differences for WES values (7.82 ± 1.09 vs. 7.71 ± 0.85, p > 0.05) and peri-implant diseases’ prevalence (p > 0.05). Conclusions: After 10 years, PS implants showed statistically significant lower MBL and PPD values and higher PES values compared to PM implants

Unsulfated biotechnological chondroitin by itself as well as in combination with high molecular weight hyaluronan improves the inflammation profile in osteoarthritis in vitro model

Several studies suggest that inflammation has a pivotal role during the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and cytokines have been identified as the main process mediators. This study aimed to explore the ability to modulate the main OA pro-inflammatory biomarkers of novel gels (H-HA/BC) based on high molecular weight hyaluronan (H-HA) and unsulfated biotechnological chondroitin (BC). For the first time, BC was tested also in combination with H-HA on human primary cells isolated from pathological knee joints. Specifically, the experiments were performed using an OA in vitro model based on human chondrocytes and synoviocytes. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of H-HA/BC in comparison with H-HA and BC single gels, NF-kB, COMP-2, MyD88, MMP-13 and a wide range of cytokines, known to be specific biomarkers in OA (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α), were evaluated. In addition, cell morphology and proliferation occurring in the presence of either H-HA/BC or single components were assessed using time-lapse video microscopy. It was shown that synovial fluids and cells isolated from OA suffering patients, presented a cytokine pattern respondent to an ongoing inflammation status. H-HA and BC significantly reduced the levels of 23 biomarkers associated with cartilage damage. However, H-HA/BC decreased significantly 24 biological mediators and downregulated 19 of them more efficiently than the single components. In synoviocytes cultures, cytokine analyses proved that H-HA/BC gels re-established an extracellular environment more similar to a healthy condition reducing considerably the concentration of 11 analytes. Instead, H-HA and BC significantly modulated 7 (5 only with a longer treatment) and 8 biological cytokines, respectively. Our results suggest that H-HA/BC beyond the viscosupplementation effect typical for HA-based gels, can improve the inflammation status in joints and thus could be introduced as a valid protective and anti-inflammatory intraarticular device in the field of Class III medical devices for OA treatments

The treatment of peri-implant diseases: A new approach using HYBENX® as a decontaminant for implant surface and oral tissues

Background: Peri-implantitis is a pathological condition characterized by an inflammatory process involving soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants. The management of periimplant disease has several protocols, among which is the chemical method HYBENX®. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of HYBENX® in the treatment of peri-implantitis and to compare HYBENX® with other chemical agents used in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Methods: The present study included a population of ten subjects with severe peri-implantitis. The procedure used in the study involves the application of HYBENX® after open-flap debridement. Each patient has been followed for 12 months after a single application of the decontaminant agent. Clinical and radiographical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after treatment completion. Results: At baseline, a mean pocket probing depth (PPD) of 7.3 - 0.5 mm and a mean clinical attachment level (CAL) of 8.8 - 0.8 mm was recorded. An average residual PPD of 4.2 - 0.5 mm and a mean CAL of 5.2 - 0.8 mm were observed after 1 year. Additionally, the average of bone gain was about 3.4 mm, with a mean marginal bone level (MBL) change from 5.8 mm (baseline) to 2.4 mm (12 months). In total, 90% of the treated implants reached the success rate after the 1-year follow-up. Only in one case out of ten treated implants was resolution of the disease not achieved. Conclusion: Clinical improvements highlight that the procedure of open-flap debridement (OFD) + HYBENX® may be considered an effective technique in the treatment of peri-implantitis. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of HYBENX® in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis is promising. Overall, this protocol demands further studies to better understand the role and potential benefits of HYBENX® in the treatment of peri-implantitis

Reasons for tooth extractions and related risk factors in adult patients: a cohort study

Background: The aimof this studywas to evaluate oral status, the reasons for tooth extractions and related risk factors in adult patients attending a hospital dental practice. Methods: 120 consecutive patients ranging from23 to 91 years in age (mean age of 63.3 - 15.8) having a total of 554 teeth extracted were included. Surveys about general health status were conducted and potential risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and age were investigated. Results: a total of 1795 teeth weremissing after extraction procedures and the mean number of remaining teeth after the extraction process was 16.8 ± 9.1 per patient. Caries (52.2%) was the most common reason for extraction along with periodontal disease (35.7%). Males were more prone to extractions, with 394 of the teeth extracted out of the total of 554 (71.1%). Male sex (β = 2.89; 95% CI 1.26, 4.53; p = 0.001) and smoking habit (β = 2.95; 95% CI 1.12, 4.79; p = 0.002) were related to a higher number of teeth extracted. Age (β = -0.24; 95% CI -0.31, -0.16; p < 0.001) and diabetes (β = -4.47; 95% CI -7.61, -1.33; p = 0.006) were related to a higher number of missing teeth at evaluation time. Moreover, periodontal disease was more common as a reason of extraction among diabetic patients than among non-diabetic ones (p = 0.04). Conclusions: caries and periodontal disease were the most common causes of extraction in a relatively old study population: further screening strategies might be required for the early interception of caries and periodontal disease

Acoustic image-based damage identification of oxide aluminum grinding wheel during the dressing operation

Abstract Grinding is a finish process of parts that require high precision and tight dimensional tolerance, which owe high value-added. As the grinding process takes place, the cutting surface of the grinding wheel undergoes wear and then its cutting capacity is reduced. On the other hand, the dressing operation is responsible for restoring the cutting surface of the grinding wheel and, therefore, plays a key role in the grinding process. This work aims at obtaining acoustic images of the grinding wheel surface to identify its conditions during the dressing operation. Experimental tests were conducted with a single-point diamond dresser in a surface grinding machine, which was equipped with an oxide aluminum grinding wheel in which specific marks were intentionally made on its surface to simulate damages for identification. An acoustic emission sensor was fixed to the dresser holder and the signal were acquired at 5 MHz. The signal spectrum was investigated and a frequency band was carefully selected, which represented the conditions of grinding wheel surface. The root mean square values were then computed from the raw signal with and without filtering for several integration periods, and the acoustic images obtained. The results show that the proposed technique is efficient to identify the damage on the wheel surface during the dressing operation as well as its location

Local/topical antibiotics for peri-implantitis treatment: a systematic review

Most studies indicate that the mechanical removal of the bacterial biofilm from the implant surface is the central goal of peri-implantitis therapy. However, controversial results in the treatment of peri-implantitis have led to the consideration of additional strategies that include surgical approaches and chemical adjuvants. Local/topical antibiotics, such as minocycline, azithromycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, doxycycline, and metronidazole, may improve the efficacy of the definitive treatment of the disease, but the lack of conclusive findings prevents their use in clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of local/topical antibiotics for peri-implantitis treatment. Randomised controlled studies (RCT) on patients with peri-implantitis and comparing the efficacy of local/topical antibiotics vs. placebo or mechanical debridement were included. A systematic search strategy was carried out using three registered databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). RoB2 was used to assess risk of bias. Five RCTs were identified (n = 250 patients and 333 implants). Contrast results emerged among the included studies, and a high heterogeneity level was observed. Risk of bias revealed some concerns for three studies out of five, while one study was judged at high risk. Only one study analysed the limitations of its findings. Overall, local antibiotic use can be considered a valid approach in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Therefore, future long-term clinical trials with standardised protocols and antibiotics with similar biological activity profiles should be tested to achieve a valid and definitive conclusion