Subjective assessment of mastication as parameter for successful prosthetic therapy

Introduction. Success in functional rehabilitation of the craniomandibular system in patients without teeth, which have total prosthesis, can be assessed using different clinical and functional methods. Subjective assessment, motivation, comfort level and functional efficacy are important elements for adaptation to dental prosthesis as well as base for success in prosthetic therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of subjective assessment of the mastication in people with new dental prosthesis as well as to assess the value of that parameter in determining the successful prosthetic therapy. Material and Methods. Study was conducted at the Dental Clinic in Novi Sad. Thirty patients (16 males and 14 females) with average age of 62.5 years who received total prosthesis were included. Analysis was done according to the data from the medical records and conducted survey in the form of questionnaire which was adjusted to our clinical examinations. Results. Results showed that 96.6% of the patients were satisfied with new prosthesis. Subjective assessment of the quality of their mastication before therapy showed that 63.4% consider their mastication as unsatisfied, 26.6% satisfied while 10% of toothless patients thought their mastication was good. Statistic analysis showed there was significant difference in subjective assessment before and after the therapy (p<0.01). In fact, there was significant connection between subjective assessment of the mastication and satisfaction with new prosthesis and therapy at all (p<0.01). Conclusion. Patients satisfaction with total prosthesis and subjective assessment of mastication are in direct correlation with successful prosthetic treatment. Results of subjective assessment of the mastication are important and can be used as a parameter for success along with precise survey

Influence of different types of partial dentures on dental plaque accumulation

The aim of the paper was to assess influence of different types of partial dentures on dental plaque accumulation. The study was conducted in three experimental and one control group with 30 examinees each. In the first experimental group were patients with partial acrylic dentures, in the second were patients with overdentures and in the third group were the patients with metal skeletal dentures. Dental plaque on the remaining teeth was measured by Silness-Loe modified method. Dental plaque scores were obtained at a time when dentures were given to patients and after 6 and 12 months of wearing, respectively. The plaque index of all teeth after 12 months of wearing dentures was relatively low in all three examined groups which resulted from previous education and motivation of examinees for oral hygiene maintenance. However, the highest risk of oral diseases caused by dental plaque is in patients with partial acrylic dentures, then in patients with overdentures, and best preventive effect was achieved in patients with metal skeletal dentures

Acquired hemophilia A secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: a case report

The acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a life-threatening condition. The incidence of AHA is extremely low, which requires a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. This is case report of 73-year-old man who presented with AHA secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia. The patient had extensive skin bleeding and hematomas. In the coagulation screening tests activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged with normal prothrombin time (PT), which was indication for further investigation. The APTT in a mixing study with normal plasma did not correct so clotting factors inhibitors were suspected. With signs of bleeding, extremely low factor VIII (FVIII) activity (2%) and presence of FVIII inhibitors, AHA was diagnosed and treatment initiated. Patient was treated with factor eight inhibitor bypassing agent (FEIBA) for three days, followed by long-term corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy. Malignant and autoimmune diseases as the most common causes of AHA were ruled out. The patient had a good response to therapy with gradual normalization of APTT and FVIII activity. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first reported case of de novo AHA after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The diagnosis of AHA should be suspected in a patient with bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes without a previous personal and family history of bleeding, and with isolated prolonged APTT. It is important to investigate any isolated prolongation of APTT in cooperation with clinical laboratory experts

Improving mechanical properties of flowable dental composite resin by adding silica nanoparticles

Background/Aim. The main drawback of flowable dental composite resin is low strength compared to conventional composite resin, due to a low amount of filler, neccessary for achieving low viscosity and ease of handling. The aim of this study was to improve mechanical properties of flowable dental composite resin by adding small amount of nanoparticles, which would not compromise handling properties. Methods. A commercially available flowable dental composite resin material was mixed with 7 nm aftertreated hydrophobic fumed silica and cured by an UV lamp. Four sets of samples were made: control sample (unmodified), the sample containing 0.05%, 0.2% and 1% nanosilica. Flexural modulus, flexural strength and microhardness were tested. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test with the significance value of p < 0.05 was performed to statistically analyze the obtained results. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and SEM analysis were performed. To asses handling properties, slumping resistance was determined. Results. It was found that 0.05% is the most effective nanosilica content. All the tested mechanical properties were improved by a significant margin. On the other hand, when 0.2% and 1% nanosilica content was tested, different results were obtained, some of the mechanical properties even dropped, while some were insignificantly improved. The difference between slumping resistance of unmodified and modified samples was found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusions. Low nanosilica addition proved more effective in improving mechanical properties compared to higher additions. Furthermore, handling properties are unaffected by nanosilica addition

Otpornost na antibiotike kod bakterija izolovanih od riba iz Srbije

Introduction. Bacteria isolated from skin, gills, and fish intestines from aquaculture ponds, ornamental fish stores/aquariums and live fish markets were investigated. Materials and Methods. Disk diffusion and E-test were used for susceptibility testing to carbapenems, ureidopenicillins with or without ß-lactamase inhibitor, 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, colistin, fluoroquinolones, and chloramphenicol. PCR was used to detect resistance genes in the bacterial isolates. Results and Conclusions. Among the total number of bacteria tested, regardless of the genus and species, 56.7% of isolates were found to be sensitive to all antibiotics, 23.1% of isolates were resistant to one or two antibiotics, and 20.2% of isolates were resistant to three and up to 16 antibiotics. In A. hydrophila isolated from a guppy (Poecilia reticulata) sampled in an ornamental fish store aquarium, 16S rRNA methyltransferase was confirmed by finding the rmtB gene. Pseudomonas isolates showing phenotypic resistance to carbapenems, ureidopenicillins with or without ß-lactamase inhibitor and 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins were tested and found negative for different resistance genes by PCR (MßL, ESBL, KPC, OXA-23, OXA-24, OXA-40, OXA-58, VIM, IMP, SPM, GIM, NDM, TEM, SHV, CTX-M-1, CTX-M-9, OXA-1, OXA-9 and the AmpC group, as well as single genes, MOXM, CITM, ACCM, EBCM, FOXM, DHAM). Based on E-test results, three Pseudomonas isolates from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were found to be resistant to colistin with MIC values of 4 μg/mL.Uvod. U ovom ispitivanju izolovane su bakterija koje su sastavni deo mikrobioma kože, škrga i creva riba iz različitih sredina (ribnjaci, akvarijumi, riblje pijace). Materijal i metode. Primenom disk difuzionog testa i E testa ispitivano je fenotipsko ispoljavanje rezistencije na karbapeneme, ureidopeniciline sa i bez inhibitora beta-laktamaza, cefalosporine III i IV generacije, aminoglikozide, tetraciklin, kolistin, flurohinolone i hloramfenikol. Prisustvo gena rezistencije vršeno je primenom metode PCR. Rezultati i zaključak. Posmatrano na ukupan broj ispitanih sojeva, bez obzira na rod i vrstu bakterija, 56,7% sojeva je osetljivo na sve antibiotike, 23,1% sojeva je rezistentno na 1 do 2 antibiotikaa 20,2% sojeva je rezistentno na 3 do 16 antibiotika. Kod soja A. hydrophila izolovanom iz akvarijumske ribice gupi nalazom gena rmtBpotvrđeno je prisustvo 16S rRNK metiltransferaze odgovornim za rezistenciju na aminoglikozide. Pseudomonas izolati koji su pokazali fenotipsku rezistenciju na karbapeneme, ureidopeniciline sa i bez inhibitora beta-laktamaza, kao i na cefalosporine III i IV generacije, testirani su i bili negativni na sledeće gene (MßL, ESBL, KPC, OXA-23, OXA-24, OXA-40, OXA-58, VIM, IMP, SPM, GIM, NDM, TEM, SHV, CTX-M-1, CTX-M-9, OXA-1, OXA-9, AmpC grupni kao i pojedinačni geni, MOXM, CITM, ACCM, EBCM, FOXM, DHAM). Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata primenom E testa, kod 3 soja iz roda Pseudomonas izolovanih od šarana nađena je rezistencija na kolistin sa dobijenim vrednostima MIK 4 μg/mL

Cephalometric Indicators of the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion

The aim of this investigation was to establish precise indicators of the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) which could be used as objective parameters in prosthodontic treatment providing exact control of the reconstructed vertical dimension of occlusion, early detection of errors and correction of the vertical dimension of occlusion during complete denture manufacturing. A total of 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs of subjects with natural dentition and class I skeletal jaw relationship, of Serbian nationality from the region of Vojvodina, were included in the investigation. Thirty subjects were males, and thirty females, their age range was 20 to 29 years. Cephalometric analysis was performed by using »Dr. Ceph« computer software (FYI Technologies, GA, USA). By evaluation of the craniofacial complex in subjects with natural dentition, horizontal dentofacial developmental growth was established in the examined sample and it was based on the relationship between the posterior and anterior total facial height (S–Go:N–Me, b X=68.96%, aX=72.8%) and statistically significant differences were found between the sexes in almost all linear dimensions and in the relation between the posterior and the anterior total facial height. Highly significant differences (p<0.001) between the sexes were found in regard to anterior total facial height (N–Me, aX=120.75mm, b X=112.72mm) and the anterior lower facial height (ANS–Me, aX=67.87mm, b X=61.50mm) (p<0.05). The proportions of the upper and lower anterior facial heights (N–ANS:ANS–Me, aX=79.36%, b X=80.63%) were within normal values in both sexes. Facial harmony existed both in men and women. Cephalometric study of the subjects with complete natural dentition included in this study provided important and specific parameters for optimal reconstruction of vertical dimension of occlusion in the treatment of edentulous patients

Identification and imaging of modern paints using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry with MeV ions

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry using MeV ion excitation was applied to analyse modern paint materials containing synthetic organic pigments and binders. It was demonstrated that synthetic organic pigments and binder components with molecular masses in the m/z range from 1 to 1200 could be identified in different paint samples with a high efficiency and in a single measurement. Different ways of mounting of mostly insulating paint samples were tested prior to the analysis in order to achieve the highest possible yield of pigment main molecular ions. As Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer for MeV Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry is attached to the heavy ion microprobe, molecular imaging on cross- sections of small paint fragments was performed using focused ions. Due to the fact that molecules are extracted from the uppermost layer of the sample and to avoid surface contamination, the paint samples were not embedded in the resin as is usually done when imaging of paint samples using different techniques in the field of cultural heritage

Differences in Eating and Lifestyle Habits between First- and Sixth-Year Medical Students from Zagreb

Eating and lifestyle habits of first (n=169) and sixth (n=272) year students, aged 18 to 26 years, attending a Medical School in Zagreb, were compared related to the years of study. A self-administered questionnaire created for this study incorporated a food frequency questionnaire. Both year students reported similar number of meals per day, irregular consumption of meals, skipping breakfast, frequency of vegetables, fruits, cereals, sweets, milk and dairy products consumption, body mass index (BMI) calculated from self-reported weight and height and alcohol consumption. Significant differences between groups were observed in consuming supper (p=0.001), being on diet (p=0.032), intake of supplements (p=0.041), meat (p<0.001), dried meat (p=0.027), coffee and tea consumption (p=0.016), physical activity (p=0.041; p=0.016), and smoking (p=0.029). This study showed non-healthy eating and lifestyle behavior among Medical School students. We observed association between the year of study, and some of the eating habits and lifestyle factors

Primena MASTIK® testa za odabir antibiotika u terapiji mastitisa krava

In this paper comparison of efficiency of commercially available antibiotic sensitivity test MASTIK® with traditionally used Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was described. Six samples of examined milk were chosen on a randomly basis. In the samples presence of following microorganisms was determined: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. and Streptococcus uberis. Based on the result of the trial it was determined that MASTiK® test is completely comparable to the results obtained by classical disk diffusion method and can be of great help on a field in fast selection of antibiotics, while results of bacteriological identifications are being awaited.U ovom radu izvršeno je ispitivanje u cilju poređenja primene komercijalnog MASTIK® testa za brzo određivanje osetljivosti uzročnika mastitisa krava na antibiotike i standardnog Kirby-Bauer disk-difuzionog testa. Ispitano je 6 uzoraka mleka od krava sa kliničkim i subkliničkim mastitisom, odabranih metodom slučajnog izbora. Iz uzoraka su standardnim mikrobiološkim tehnikama izolovani sledeći mikroorganizmi: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, koagulaza-negativni Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis i Aspergillus fumigatus. Primenom MASTIK® testa i disk-difuzionog testa, dobijeni su u potpunosti uporedivi rezultati ispitivanja osetljivosti izolovanih bakterijskih uzročnika mastitisa na antibiotike. MASTIK® test predstavlja jednostavnu metodu, aplikativnu u terenskim uslovima i pogodnu za brz odabir antibiotika u terapiji mastitisa krava, dok se čekaju rezultati mikrobiološke identifikacije uzročnika

Bioactives preservation of everlasting (Helichrysum plicatum L.) flowers extract by freeze drying method and powder characterisation

Everlasting flowers (Helichrysum plicatum L.), traditionally used for gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal pain, jaundice, and hepatic disorders are a rich source of sensitive polyphenolic compounds whose preservation is of great importance. A critical point in the development of formulations with bioactive phenolic compounds, especially liquid extracts is their limited stability at elevated temperatures, pH variations, exposure to oxygen, light, and moisture. In order to overcome the extract limitations, drying method could be the optimal technique for preservation of bioactive compounds, in order to obtain stable powders with appropriate characteristics. One of the most advanced techniques based on the phenomenon of sublimation is a freeze drying, which enabling the long-term preservation of heat-sensitive compounds. In this study, extract obtained by percolation method was lyophilized by freeze drying method (firstly extract was frozen at -80 oC for 1 h, then freeze- dried at -60 oC with pressure of 0.011 mbar for 24 h, and finally main dried at -60 oC with pressure of 0.0012 mbar, for an additional hour in order to remove the capillary water residues). The obtained freeze-dried extract (FHE) was characterized by drying efficiency, the contents of total polyphenols-TPC and flavonoids-TFC. The most dominant polyphenolic compounds were determined and quantified by HPLC method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyzes were also performed. The stability of individual compounds, quantified by the HPLC method, was investigated after 30 days, whereby the sample was exposed to a temperature of 40 °C. Drying efficiency was 94.68%, while TPC and TFC were 113.22 mg gallic acid/g and 28.16 mg catechin/g od FHE, respectively. The most dominant individual compounds were naringenin (22.47 mg/g) and kaempferol (21.47 mg/g) of FHE. The DSC method confirmed the FHE stability, and the SEM analysis confirmed that the extract was successfully encapsulated, without visible deformations. The obtained powder showed excellent stability in terms of the content of the dominant individual compounds, with increasing of their content after 30 days