Double acid etching treatment of dental implants for enhanced biological properties

Background: The topographical features on the surface of dental implants have been considered as a critical parameter for enhancing the osseointegration of implants. In this work, we proposed a surface obtained by a combination of shot blasting and double acid etching. The double acid etching was hypothesized to increase the submicron topography and hence further stimulate the biological properties of the titanium implant. Methods: The topographical features (surface roughness and real surface area), wettability and surface chemical composition were analyzed. Results: The results showed that the proposed method produced a dual roughness, mainly composed of randomly distributed peaks and valleys with a superimposed nanoroughness, and hence with an increased specific surface area. Despite the fact that the proposed method does not introduce significant chemical changes, this treatment combination slightly increased the amount of titanium available on the surface, reducing potential surface contaminants. Furthermore, the surface showed increased contact angle values demonstrating an enhanced hydrophobicity on the surface. The biological behavior of the implants was then assessed by culturing osteoblast-like cells on the surface, showing enhanced osteoblast adhesion, proliferation and differentiation on the novel surface. Conclusions: Based on these results, the described surface with dual roughness obtained by double acid etching may be a novel route to obtain key features on the surface to enhance the osseointegration of the implant. Our approach is a simple method to obtain a dual roughness that mimics the bone structure modified by osteoclasts and increases surface area, which enhances osseointegration of dental implants.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Efficacy of sonic and ultrasonic irrigation devices in the removal of debris from canal irregularities in artificial root canals

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of different sonic and ultrasonic devices in the elimination of debris from canal irregularities in artificial root canals. Materials and Methods: A resin model of a transparent radicular canal filled with dentin debris was used. Five groups were tested, namely: Group 1 – ultrasonic insert 15.02; Group 2 – ultrasonic insert 25/25 IRRI K; Group 3 – ultrasonic insert 25/25 IRRI S; Group 4 – sonic insert 20/28 Eddy on a vibrating sonic air-scaler handpiece; Group 5 – 20.02 K-file inserted on a Safety M4 handpiece. Two different irrigants (5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA) and 3 different times of activation (20, 40, and 60 seconds) were tested. Means and standard deviations were calculated and statistically analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests (p<0.05). Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the two irrigants used. Group 4 removed more debris than the other groups (p<0.05). Groups 1, 2, and 3 removed more debris than group 5 (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found for the time of activation in all groups and at all canal levels, except between 40 and 60 seconds in group 4 at coronal and middle third level (p>0.05). Conclusions: No significant differences were found between 5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% EDTA. When the time of activation rises, the dentin debris removal increases in all groups. Both sonic and ultrasonic activation demonstrate high capacity for dentin debris removal

Improving customer engagement through the determinants of employee engagement

In the field of marketing, an engagement orientation urges companies to co-create a broader range of activities with their customers and requires all employees to commit to the company and understand the value of customers engagement (Harmeling et al., 2017). Several previous studies have focused on how companies can develop customer engagement through marketing and employee engagement (Venkatesan, 2017). However, little research has examined the factors that determine the level of employee engagement in this relationship with the customers. The objective of this research is to identify which variables of the organization, associated with employee engagement, show a relationship or incidence in the customer engagement. To achieve this goal present study uses Radial Basis Function Neural Networks in order to model the behavior of the employee engagement of the selected sample. The results obtained provide significant information on how relationships with stakeholders, and especially customer engagement, can be improved.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

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Root Canal Filling Quality Comparison of a Premixed Calcium Silicate Endodontic Sealer and Different Carrier-Based Obturation Systems

Background: The number of voids within the root canal obturation is a relevant parameter to describe the quality of the technique, as well as to predict long-term prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of root canal obturation in curved root canals filled with Thermafil, GuttaCore, GuttaFusion and lateral compaction with AH Plus and EndoSequence BC sealer, by means of percentage of gutta-percha and sealer filled area. Methods: 200 curved canals of mandibular molars were divided in five groups (n = 40). Each specimen was evaluated at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the apex. A total of 600 samples were analyzed. Obturation was performed with either Thermafil (TH), GuttaCore (GC), GuttaFusion (GF) or lateral compaction (LC), using AH Plus as sealer. In another group EndoSequence BC sealer (BC) was used. Subgroups (n = 20) were made depending on the use of sonic activation during the placement of the sealer. The percentage of total obturation material was analyzed as an indirect measurement of percentage of voids. Results: GF showed a better performance at the apical level, while GC showed the higher percentage of total obturation at the coronal area. No differences were observed for the activation of sealers in any of the groups. Statistical analysis was performed by using two-way ANOVA. Statistical significance was set at CI: 95% (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Sonic activation of sealers did not show any benefit to avoid the presence of voids within obturation of curved canals. Following the manufacturer recommendations, we found that TH did not show benefits when applied to curved canals.</jats:p

Qxpak.5: Old mixed model solutions for new genomics problems

Mixed models have a long and fruitful history in statistics. They are pertinent to genomics problems because they are highly versatile, accommodating a wide variety of situations within the same theoretical and algorithmic framework. Qxpak is a package for versatile statistical genomics, specifically designed for sophisticated quantitative trait loci and association analyses. Multiple loci, multiple trait, infinitesimal genetic effects, imprinting, epistasis or sex linked loci can be fitted. The new version (v. 5) allows us, among other new features, to include either relationship matrices obtained with molecular information or user defined matrices that can be read from an input file. This feature can be used for genome selection or - more importantly - to correct for population structure in association studies. In crosses, two parental lines, not necessarily inbred, can be accommodated. This software aims at simplifying statistical genetic analyses implementing a coherent and unified approach by mixed models. It provides a tool that can be used in a wide variety of situations with ample genetic and statistical modeling flexibility. The software, a complete manual and examples are available at http://www.icrea.cat/Web/OtherSectionViewer.aspx?key=485&titol=Software:Qxpak.

New archaeological excavations at Cova Gran and Cova Freda de Montserrat (Collbató, Barcelona) after almost 100 years

[spa] En este trabajo se presentan los primeros datos estratigráficos, radiocarbónicos y de cultura material de las recientes excavaciones en las Coves de Montserrat (Cova Gran y Cova Freda). Estos emblemáticos yacimientos fueron excavados el año 1922 y proporcionaron uno de los primeros conjuntos cardiales de la península ibérica. Desde entonces, no volvieron a ser intervenidos de forma oficial y quedaron abandonados. En el año 2018 se han reiniciado los trabajos con sondeos en ambas cuevas, determinando la preservación de depósitos arqueológicos estratificados en algunos de ellos. En la Cova Freda se ha reconocido la existencia de un tramo de la cavidad probablemente usado como redil durante el Neolítico Antiguo Cardial y, en la Cova Gran, se han documentado un nivel y una estructura negativa de esa misma cronología, así como un potente nivel finipaleolítico.[eng] This work presents the first stratigraphic, chronologic and cultural results of the archaeological works in the Coves de Montserrat (Cova Gran and Cova Freda). These emblematic sites that were excavated in 1922 and that provided one of the first cardial assemblages of the Iberian Peninsula. They were not intervened again and they were abandoned. These works have been restarted in 2018 by means of different test pits in both caves. These have determined the preservation of stratified archaeological deposits in some of these tests: in the Cova Freda it has been determined the existence of a section of the cavity probably used as a fold during the Early Neolithic; while, in the Cova Gran, a layer and a negative structure of that same chronology have been documented, as well as a finipaleolithic layer. This paper presents the first stratigraphic, radiocarbon and material culture data of these emblematic sites of Iberian historiography

Incident Use of Hydroxychloroquine for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: We studied whether the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19 resulted in supply shortages for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: We used US claims data (IQVIA PHARMETRICS® Plus for Academics [PHARMETRICS]) and hospital electronic records from Spain (Institut Municipal d'Assistència Sanitària Information System [IMASIS]) to estimate monthly rates of HCQ use between January 2019 and March 2022, in the general population and in patients with RA and SLE. Methotrexate (MTX) use was estimated as a control. Results: More than 13.5 million individuals (13,311,811 PHARMETRICS, 207,646 IMASIS) were included in the general population cohort. RA and SLE cohorts enrolled 135,259 and 39,295 patients, respectively, in PHARMETRICS. Incidence of MTX and HCQ were stable before March 2020. On March 2020, the incidence of HCQ increased by 9- and 67-fold in PHARMETRICS and IMASIS, respectively, and decreased in May 2020. Usage rates of HCQ went back to prepandemic trends in Spain but remained high in the United States, mimicking waves of COVID-19. No significant changes in HCQ use were noted among patients with RA and SLE. MTX use rates decreased during HCQ approval period for COVID-19 treatment. Conclusion: Use of HCQ increased dramatically in the general population in both Spain and the United States during March and April 2020. Whereas Spain returned to prepandemic rates after the first wave, use of HCQ remained high and followed waves of COVID-19 in the United States. However, we found no evidence of general shortages in the use of HCQ for both RA and SLE in the United States.</p

Incident Use of Hydroxychloroquine for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: We studied whether the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19 resulted in supply shortages for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: We used US claims data (IQVIA PHARMETRICS® Plus for Academics [PHARMETRICS]) and hospital electronic records from Spain (Institut Municipal d'Assistència Sanitària Information System [IMASIS]) to estimate monthly rates of HCQ use between January 2019 and March 2022, in the general population and in patients with RA and SLE. Methotrexate (MTX) use was estimated as a control. Results: More than 13.5 million individuals (13,311,811 PHARMETRICS, 207,646 IMASIS) were included in the general population cohort. RA and SLE cohorts enrolled 135,259 and 39,295 patients, respectively, in PHARMETRICS. Incidence of MTX and HCQ were stable before March 2020. On March 2020, the incidence of HCQ increased by 9- and 67-fold in PHARMETRICS and IMASIS, respectively, and decreased in May 2020. Usage rates of HCQ went back to prepandemic trends in Spain but remained high in the United States, mimicking waves of COVID-19. No significant changes in HCQ use were noted among patients with RA and SLE. MTX use rates decreased during HCQ approval period for COVID-19 treatment. Conclusion: Use of HCQ increased dramatically in the general population in both Spain and the United States during March and April 2020. Whereas Spain returned to prepandemic rates after the first wave, use of HCQ remained high and followed waves of COVID-19 in the United States. However, we found no evidence of general shortages in the use of HCQ for both RA and SLE in the United States.</p

Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 14

Abstract: This is the fourteenth of a series of miscellaneous contributions, by various authors, where hitherto unpublished data relevant to both the Med-Checklist and the Euro+Med (or Sisyphus) projects are presented. This instalment deals with the families Apocynaceae, Compositae, Crassulaceae, Cyperaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Gramineae, Leguminosae, Nyctaginaceae, Onagraceae, Orobanchaceae, Rubiaceae, Solanaceae and Umbelliferae. It includes new country and area records and taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa in Acalypha, Bupleurum, Carex, Datura, Epilobium, Eragrostis, Galium, Leontodon, Mirabilis, Nerium, Orobanche, Phelipanche, Rhinanthus, Saccharum, Sedum, Trifolium, Tripleurospermum and Willemetia. Citation For the whole article: Raab-Straube E. von &amp; Raus Th. (ed.) 2021: Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 14.-Willdenowia 51: 355-369. For a single contribution (example): Bergmeier E. 2021: Leontodon longirostris (Finch &amp; P. D. Sell) Talavera-Pp. 356-357 in: Raab-Straube E. von &amp; Raus Th. (ed.), Euro+Med-Checklist Notulae, 14.-Willdenowia 51: 355-369. https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.51.51304 Version of record first published online on 30 November 2021 ahead of inclusion in December 2021 issue