Retrospective evaluation of the clinical performance of direct composite restorations using the snow-plow technique : up to 4 years follow-up

To evaluate the clinical performance of direct composite restorations using the snowplow technique with up to 4 years of follow-up. In this retrospective study, 101 class II composite restorations which were placed in permanent molars (n = 19) and premolars (n = 82) in 85 patients by the snowplow technique, were evaluated according to the modified USPHS criteria. A Kaplan-Meier analysis with a 95% confidence level was used to calculate the survival probability. Of the 101 teeth examined, tooth failure was identified in 8 teeth due to secondary caries (3%), marginal gap (2%), marginal discoloration (1%) and restoration breakdown (2%) which required replacement of the whole restoration. Sixteen teeth achieved a Bravo score and just needed to be repaired. The results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis regarding overall survival estimates of composite-treated teeth using the snowplow technique at 1-, 2-, 3- and 4- year follow-ups were 99%, 96.2%, 89.6% and 79% respectively. The median survival times of composite restorations using the snowplow technique were 46.49 ± 11.47 month. This retrospective study showed that application of a flowable composite as a liner using the snowplow technique does not improve the clinical survival of posterior composite restorations

Speech features for telemonitoring of Parkinson's disease symptoms.

The aim of this paper is tracking Parkinson's disease (PD) progression based on its symptoms on vocal system using Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). We utilize a standard speech signal feature set, which contains 6373 static features as functionals of low-level descriptor (LLD) contours, and select the most informative ones using the maximal relevance and minimal redundancy based on correlations (mRMRC) criteria. Then, we evaluate performance of Gaussian mixture regression (GMR) and support vector regression (SVR) on estimating the third subscale of UPDRS, i.e., UPDRS: motor subscale (UPDRS-III). Among the most informative features, a list of features are selected after redundancy reduction. The selected features depict that LLDs providing information about spectrum flatness, spectral distribution of energy, and hoarseness of voice are the most important ones for estimating UPDRS-III. Moreover, the most informative statistical functions are related to range, maximum, minimum and standard deviation of LLDs, which is an evidence of the muscle weakness due to the PD. Furthermore, GMR outperforms SVR on compact feature sets while the performance of SVR improves by increasing number of features

Effects of fluoride versus amorphous calcium phosphate solutions on enamel microhardness of white spot lesions : an in-vitro study

Development of white spot lesions around orthodontic fixed orthodontic appliances is a common finding, especially in patients with poor oral hygiene. One of the conservative interventions for regression of these lesions is using chemical solutions. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness of fluoride and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) on microhardness improvement of affected enamel. Forty-five intact human incisor teeth were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups of 15. Fluoride group, ACP group and artificial saliva group (control group). Inducing of white spot lesion was done by PH-cycling model. Samples of the first and second group were submerged into 0.05% fluoride and 0.05% ACP solutions respectively for one minute a day. The rest of the time, all specimens were put in artificial saliva, which was incubated in 37 °c temperature. Microhardness of specimens was assessed by Vickers microhardness test in three stages: 1: Baseline microhardness assessment that was done before induction of white spot lesion, 2: Secondary microhardness assessment that was done after induction, 3: Final microhardness assessment that was done after chemical treatment. The SPSS 11.5 software was used for statistical analysis and p< 0.05 was considered as significant. Microhardness of specimens in the fluoride and ACP groups had significantly improved after the treatment (between secondary assessment and final assessment). In the control group, no significant improvements were observed. In final assessment, there were significant differences between the ACP and control groups, but no significant differences were found neither between the fluoride and ACP, nor the Fluoride and control groups. According to the current study, both 0.05% ACP and 0.05% fluoride solutions enhanced enamel micro-hardness in treatment of white spot lesion

Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Irradiation in Reducing Pain and Accelerating Socket Healing After Undisturbed Tooth Extraction

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on reducing complications following tooth extraction.Methods: This randomized clinical trial consisted of 40 subjects who underwent lower molar extraction. The patients were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Group 1 was irradiated with a 660 nm laser (200 mW, 30 seconds radiation to lingual, buccal and occlusal surfaces of the socket, 6 J/area). In group 2, an 810 nm laser was applied similar to group 1. In group 3, a combination of 660 and 810 nm lasers was used. The patients in group 4 served as a placebo group. LLLT was performed after 0.5-1 hour of extraction and 2 days later. The participants were asked to record pain degree using a visual analogue scale (VAS) over 7 days. The amount of wound healing was evaluated on the third and seventh days.Results: There was no significant difference in pain scores among the groups at any of the assessment intervals (P &gt; 0.05). The between-group differences in wound healing scores were small and insignificant (P &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: LLLT with 660 nm or 810 nm lasers or their combination had no greater effect than the placebo laser for reducing the complications of tooth extraction. 

Is arthrocentesis of temporomandibular joint with corticosteroids beneficial? A systematic review

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are musculoskeletal conditions that can inhibit the normal function of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and affect the patient?s quality of life, negatively. Arthrocentesis (AC) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used for treating TMDs. The aim of present paper is to evaluate the advantages of administrating corticosteroid (CS) during AC by reviewing high quality released articles. After initial search, a total of 2067 articles were included into the study. Finally, 7 studies were reliable enough in methodology and randomization to be included into the study. All of the observed studies showed improvements in jaw functions and pain relief with no statistical differences in both AC and control groups. One study reported painless maximum incisal opening in CS group than the control group. Based on available RCTs, the AC of TMJ with CS seems to result in similar findings to other therapeutic drugs, with no significant differences

Priprava mikrokuglica s antigenom leptospira od biološki razgradivih alginatnih polimera.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. Although the currently available whole cell leptospiral vaccines can induce protection against Leptospirosis, further study for a new generation of vaccine that can stimulate long-term immunity is needed. Biodegradable microspheres as antigen delivery systems have been extensively investigated for decades, especially those based on hydrophilic polymers, such as alginate and chitosan, which have excellent biocompatibility, non-toxicity and biodegradability. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize alginate microspheres as an antigen delivery system for immunization against leptospirosis. Alginate microspheres containing Leptospiral antigen (LA) were prepared by an emulsification method and characterized for shape, size distribution, loading efficiency (LE), loading capacity (LC) and release profie. The effects of some parameters (such as concentration of alginate and emulsifiers and stirring rate) on microspheres characteristics were investigated. The optimal condition parameters for the preparation of LA loaded alginate microspheres were estimated. The optimum concentrations were obtained for alginate and emulsifiers, 3.5 % (w/v), span 80 (0.2 % w/v) and tween 80 (3.75 % w/v), respectively. Moreover, appropriate homogenizing rate was obtained at 500 rparticle size of the microspheres as 200 μm, loading efficiency 97 % and loading capacity 8 %. A suitable release profile was observed for in vitro release test of LA from alginate microspheres over an extended period of time (192 hours). These results make the alginate microspheres particularly interesting for an LA delivery system.pm. Our results showed the mean particle size of the microspheres as 200 μm, loading effiiency 97 % and loading capacity 8 %. A suitable release profile was observed for in vitro release test of LA from alginate microspheres over an extended period of time (192 hours). These results make the alginate microspheres particularly interesting for an LA delivery system.Leptospiroza je zoonoza prouzročena patogenim vrstama roda Leptospira, a proširena je diljem svijeta. Iako današnja cjepiva protiv leptospiroze, proizvedena od cijelih bakterijskih stanica, mogu pružiti zaštitu od leptospiroze, potrebna su daljnja istraživanja nove generacije cjepiva koja će moći potaknuti tvorbu dugotrajne imunosti. Biološki razgradive mikrokuglice istražuju se desecima godina kao mogućnost sporog otpuštanja antigena, a posebice su zanimljive one od hidrofilnih polimera kao što je alginat i kitosan, koji imaju izvrsnu biološku kompatibilnost, nisu toksični, a biološki su razgradivi. Svrha ovog rada bila je pripraviti alginatne mikrokuglice i odrediti njihova svojstva pogodna za otpuštanje antigena u postupku imunizacije protiv leptospiroze. Alginatne mikrokuglice s antigenom leptospira bile su pripravljene postupkom emulgacije te im je bio određen oblik, opseg distribucije, učinkovitost ugradnje antigena u mikrokuglice, kapacitet ugradnje i profil otpuštanja antigena. Istraženi su učinci nekih pokazatelja (kao što je koncentracija alginata i emulgatora te omjer miješanja) na obilježja mikrokuglica. Procijenjeni su optimalni uvjeti za pripravu alginatnih mikrokuglica na koje je vezan antigen leptospira. Optimalna koncentracija za alginat bila je 3,5 % (w/v), a emulgator span 80 (0,2 % w/v) i tween 80 (3,75 % w/v). Odgovarajuća homogenizacija postignuta je na 500 okretaja. Rezultati su pokazali da je srednja veličina mikrokuglica bila 200 μm, učinkovitost ugradnje antigena 97 %, a kapacitet 8 %. In vitro je ustanovljeno da se antigen leptospira oslobađao s alginatnih mikrokuglica tijekom 192 sata. Ti rezultati pokazuju da alginatne kuglice mogu biti od posebnog interesa za oslobađanje antigena leptospira u organizmu

A BRIEF RADIOGRAPHIC REPORT FROM TWO COMMON ODONTOGENIC CYSTS IN JAWS WITH FOLLICULAR RADIOLUCENT APPEARANCE

Objectives: Pericoronal radiolucencies are common pathologic findings in regular dental checkups. Since dentigerous cyst is the most common pathologic pericoronal radiolucency and as odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a common cyst also and an aggressive lesion with high recurrence, radiographic features of these lesions were discussed in this study using panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional case series study, radiographs from 56 patients who were referred to  a private maxillofacial radiology center or  dentistry faculty in Mashhad/Iran from 2008 to 2013 in which radiolucent pericoronal lesion was observed in jaws with histopathologic results of dentigerous cyst or OKC were separately examined by two maxillofacial radiologists. Both observers were unaware of pathology results. Lesions were assessed based on their location, periphery, and impaction on the surrounding structures. Then, obtained data were analyzed using descriptive tables. Results: 56 lesions were identified in 56 patients. There were 20 odontogenic keratocyst and 36 dentigerous cysts. The majority of dentigerous cysts and OKCs occurred in the posterior mandible and showed a well corticated border. External root resorption was higher in OKC cases. In addition, displacement tendency of surrounding structures (other than tooth) such as nasal floor, mandibular canal, buccal and lingual cortex (in the form of expansion) as well as destruction of cortex, nasal floor or sinus walls was higher in OKC than in dentigerous cyst. Conclusion: Except of tooth displacement other parameters related to the effect on surrounding structures in this study showed higher frequency in OKC than dentigerous cyst

The Impact of Hemodialysis on Sexual Function in Male Patients using the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF)

Introduction: Routine hemodialysis is one of the preferred treatment methods in patients with chronic kidney disease. It seems that routine hemodialysis can be effective in improving sexual function in these patients. This study aimed to determine the effect of routine dialysis sessions over a six-month period on the status of sexual function in men with chronic renal failure using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to November 2016 on patients with chronic renal failure who were first-time candidates for routine hemodialysis and who were referred to Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad. All of the patients completed the IIEF questionnaire before their first hemodialysis. Afterwards, all of the patients underwent routine dialysis sessions over a six-month period and completed the IIEF questionnaire again at the end of the sixth month. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was assessed before and after hemodialysis. The scores on the two IIEF questionnaires were compared according to five domains, i.e., erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. The comparisons were done before and after hemodialysis using the paired-samples t-test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19. Results: The study included 30 men with a mean age of 40.2 ± 8.2. The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in the order of their frequency was as follows: intercourse satisfaction (100%), overall satisfaction (100%), sexual desire (96.7%), orgasmic function (93.3%), and erectile function (90%). After six months of treatment with hemodialysis, the ratings of all areas of sexual dysfunction were improved significantly (p-value = 0.00 for all domains). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that a six-month course of hemodialysis can improve erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction in patients with chronic kidney disease