Impact of the treatment of periodontitis on systemic health and quality of life: A systematic review

AIM: To investigate the effect of treatment of periodontitis on systemic health outcomes, pregnancy complications, and associated quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic electronic searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials with minimum 6-month follow-up and reporting on the outcomes of interest. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed as deemed suitable. RESULTS: Meta-analyses confirmed reductions of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) [0.56 mg/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−0.88, −0.25), p < .001]; interleukin (IL)-6 [0.48 pg/ml, 95% CI (−0.88, −0.08), p = .020], and plasma glucose [1.33 mmol/l, 95% CI (−2.41, −0.24), p = .016], and increase of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) [0.31%, 95% CI (0.07, 0.55), p = .012] and diastolic blood pressure [0.29 mmHg, 95% CI (0.10, 0.49), p = .003] 6 months after the treatment of periodontitis. A significant effect on preterm deliveries (<37 weeks) was observed [0.77 risk ratio, 95% CI (0.60, 0.98), p = .036]. Limited evidence was reported on quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of periodontitis results in systemic health improvements including improvement in cardiometabolic risk, reduction in systemic inflammation and the occurrence of preterm deliveries. Further research is however warranted to confirm whether these changes are sustained over time. Further, appropriate QoL outcomes should be included in the study designs of future clinical trials

Astrophysical S17(0) factor extraction from breakup of 8B on 58Ni at energies near the Coulomb barrier

We have performed continuum-discretized coupled channels (CDCC) calculations of the breakup of 8B on 58Ni and direct proton transfer for the 8B+58Ni system at laboratory energies of 20-28.4 MeV. The influence of the 7Be core-target optical potential (OP) on the breakup cross section was investigated. Elastic scattering angular distributions for the 7Be+58Ni and 8B+58Ni systems at five different energies around the Coulomb barrier were studied, and a reasonable energy-independent OP for each system was obtained. Using these OPs and two different 7Be-p relative motion wave functions, and summing breakup and direct proton transfer contributions, we were able to fit the experimental cross section at a 8B laboratory energy of 25.75 MeV. We calculated the excitation function for the 7Be emission in the 8B+58Ni reaction, where 7Be products were measured at the forward angle θlab=45° in the energy interval Elab=20-28.4 MeV. In view of the peripheral character of the B8 breakup reaction at near-barrier energies, we could extract the asymptotic normalization coefficient for the 7Be-p system, which was found to be CBe-p,p3/22=0.543±0.027 fm-1. Finally, the astrophysical S17(0) factor was found to be S17(0)=20.8±1.1 eV b.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación FPA2006-13807-c02-01Programa Consolider-Ingenio 2010 CSD2007-0004

Association Between Periodontitis and Blood Pressure Highlighted in Systemically Healthy Individuals: Results From a Nested Case-Control Study

Recent evidence suggests hypertension and periodontitis are closely linked but limited data is available on the nature of the association. We aimed to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and mean arterial blood pressure in a sample of otherwise systemically healthy individuals. A case-control study including 250 cases (participants with periodontitis) and 250 controls (without periodontitis) was designed from a register of clinical trials conducted between 2000 and 2018 in a university setting. Cases were age, sex, and body mass index balanced with controls. Linear, logistic regression, and mediation models were planned to test the association between various periodontal measures and arterial blood pressure. We further investigated the role of systemic inflammation assessed by hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) and white cell counts. Cases presented with 3.36 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.91-5.82, P=0.007) higher mean systolic blood pressure and 2.16 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.24-4.08, P=0.027) higher diastolic blood pressure than controls. Diagnosis of periodontitis was associated with mean systolic blood pressure (β=3.46±1.25, P=0.005) and greater odds of systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg (odds ratio, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.15-4.60], P=0.018) independent of common cardiovascular risk factors. Similar findings were observed when continuous measures of periodontal status were modeled against systolic blood pressure. Measures of systemic inflammation although elevated in periodontitis were not found to be mediators of the association between periodontitis and arterial blood pressure values. Periodontitis is linked to higher systolic blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals. Promotion of periodontal and systemic health strategies in the dental and medical setting could help reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications

Prevalencia de candidiasis vaginal en una población obstétrica de bajo riesgo en Santander

ObjetivoConocer la prevalencia de candidiasis vaginal en embarazadas controladas desde atención primaria y ver si está aumentando con el paso del tiempo.DiseñoEstudio descriptivo, retrospectivo del universo de mujeres embarazadas.EmplazamientoZona Básica de Salud Cazoña (34.783 habitantes).SujetosToda la población obstétrica controlada en nuestro centro de salud desde 1992 a 1997, ambos inclusive.Mediciones y resultadosEstudio retrospectivo de las historias clínicas de todas las mujeres embarazadas captadas en nuestro centro de salud (878 embarazos). Descartados los derivados a tocólogo, abortos y partos prematuros, se han valorado 549 embarazos (62,30% del total) normales, de bajo riesgo, controlados hasta el final por atención primaria, con un rango de edad de 16-40 años. La prevalencia media de candidiasis es de un 18% (IC, 15,0-21,6). Su frecuencia aumenta a medida que se incrementa el número de gestaciones y disminuye a medida que aumenta la edad de la embarazada.ConclusionesLa prevalencia encontrada en nuestro estudio es de un 18%, y no está aumentando a medida que pasan los años.ObjectivesTo find the prevalence of vaginal candidiasis in pregnant women monitored through primary care and to see whether it is on the increase.DesignDescriptive and retrospective study of pregnant women.SettingCazoña Health District (34783 inhabitants).SubjectsThe entire obstetric population monitored by our health centre between 1992 and 1997 inclusive.Measurements and resultsRetrospective study of clinical histories of all the pregnant women seen at our health centre (878 pregnancies). After discounting those referred to obstetricians, abortions/ miscarriages and premature births, 549 normal low-risk pregnancies (62.30% of the total) were monitored to completion in primary care. The women's age range was 16 to 40. The mean prevalence of candidiasis was 18% (CI, 15.0-21.6). Its frequency increased as the number of pregnancies increased and dropped as the age of the pregnant women increased.ConclusionsPrevalence found in our study was 18% and did not increase as the years passed

Reaction mechanisms in the scattering of 8 Li on 208 Pb around the Coulomb barrier

We present an analysis of the reaction 8 Li + 208 Pb , which has been recently measured at energies around the Coulomb barrier. The study is focused on the elastic and one-neutron removal channels. The elastic angular distribution has been analyzed by means of the optical model and coupled-channels method. The measured 7 Li yield has been assumed to come from the one-neutron transfer reaction 208 Pb ( 8 Li , 7 Li ) 209 Pb and the breakup reaction 8 Li + 208 Pb → n + 7 Li + 208 Pb . For the former, an analysis in terms of the distorted wave Born approximation and coupled-channels Born approximation (CCBA) methods has been performed. For the breakup reaction, a generalization of the CCBA method has been used, in which the final states are described as n + 208 Pb continuum states. Transfer and breakup are then treated consistently. The summed angular distribution for the two processes reproduces the shape and absolute magnitude of the measured 7 Li distribution. We conclude that most of the measured 7 Li yield comes from the one-neutron transfer channel. We also show that the elastic scattering is notably affected by the strong coupling to transfer channels.Fundaçao para a Ciência e a Tecnología (FCT) de Portugal. POCTI/36282/99Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología de España. FPA2002-04181-C04-0

Backscattering measurement of 6He on 209Bi: Critical interaction distance

An elastic backscattering experiment has been performed at energies below the Coulomb barrier to investigate static and dynamic effects in the interaction of 6He with 209Bi. The measured cross sections are presented in terms of the dσ/dσRuth ratio, as a function of the distance of closest approach on a Rutherford trajectory. The data are compared with a three-body CDCC calculation and good agreement is observed. In addition, the critical distance of interaction was extracted. A larger value was obtained for the exotic 6He nucleus as compared with the weakly bound 6Li and 9Be nuclei and the tightly bound 4He, 12C, and 16O nuclei.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad FIS2013-41994-P FIS2014-53448-C2-1-

Picture This! Reflecting on the Use of Posters as Expressions of PhD Research Projects

The presentation of posters at scientific conferences to visually represent research projects is a widespread international practice. The main purpose of this paper is to offer reflections relating to posters as visual representations of research studies conducted by PhD candidates. As the basis for our reflections, we consider the main purposes and intended learning outcomes linked to posters and reflect on some of the design and assessment issues associated with the multi-faceted purposes of posters in contexts such as postgraduate research conferences. Notably, the paper includes a set of illustrative vignettes written by a group of PhD students from the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Manchester who were required to design and exhibit posters at an annually held postgraduate research conference. This reflexive dialogue raises a series of issues for consideration by those who are actively involved with the design, presentation, observation and assessment of posters produced by PhD candidates.Exploring Visual Representation of Concepts in Learning and Teaching in Higher Educatio

Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessments in a Mouse Model of Implant-Related Bone and Joint Staphylococcus aureus Infection.

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone, associated with an inflammatory process. Imaging plays an important role in establishing the diagnosis and the most appropriate patient management. However, data are lacking regarding the use of preclinical molecular imaging techniques to assess osteomyelitis progression in experimental models. This study aimed to compare structural and molecular imaging to assess disease progression in a mouse model of implant-related bone and joint infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In SWISS mice, the right femur was implanted with a resorbable filament impregnated with S. aureus (infected group, n = 10) or sterile culture medium (uninfected group, n = 6). Eight animals (5 infected, 3 uninfected) were analyzed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1, 2, and 3 weeks postintervention, and 8 mice were analyzed with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) at 48 h and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks postintervention. In infected animals, CT showed bone lesion progression, mainly in the distal epiphysis, although some uninfected animals presented evident bone sequestra at 3 weeks. MRI showed a lesion in the articular area that persisted for 3 weeks in infected animals. This lesion was smaller and less evident in the uninfected group. At 48 h postintervention, FDG-PET showed higher joint uptake in the infected group than in the uninfected group (P = 0.025). Over time, the difference between groups increased. These results indicate that FDG-PET imaging was much more sensitive than MRI and CT for differentiating between infection and inflammation at early stages. FDG-PET clearly distinguished between infection and postsurgical bone healing (in uninfected animals) from 48 h to 3 weeks after implantation. IMPORTANCE Our results encourage future investigations on the utility of the model for testing different therapeutic procedures for osteomyelitis.We thank Yolanda Sierra, Alexandra de Francisco, and María de la Jara Felipe, from the Imaging Laboratory for Small Animals of the Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Gregorio Marañón, for their excellent work with animal preparation and imaging protocols. Additionally, we thank Daniel Calle, from the Advanced Imaging Unit of CNIC, for his help in imaging postprocessing. This study was partially supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grants PI20/ 01632 and PT20/00044), cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), A way to make Europe. This work was also supported by the Diagnosis and Treatment Follow-up of Severe Staphylococcal Infections with Anti-Staphylococcal Antibodies and Immune-PET project of the Grant Fundación BBVA a Equipos de Investigación Científica 2018, by the Fundación Ramón Areces, and by Comunidad de Madrid (S2022/BMD-7403 RENIM-CM). The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN), and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and it is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (grant CEX2020-001041-S, funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).S

Association between subclinical atherosclerosis and oral inflammation: A cross-sectional study

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) values and periodontal and peri-implant diseases in a sample of patients with hypertension. Methods: A total of 151 participants with presence of at least one dental implant in function for >5 years were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound assessment of carotid arteries (c-IMT and presence of plaque) were recorded and venous blood samples obtained. An oral examination was performed by calibrated examiners to ascertain prevalence and severity of periodontal and peri-implant diseases. Binomial logistic regression was performed to investigate the potential association between various measures of exposure of dental diseases and predictors of cardiovascular risk (c-IMT > 0.9 mm and presence of plaque or their combination). Results: Diagnosis of periodontitis (OR 6.71, 95% CI: 2.68-16.76, P  0.9 mm and/or plaque presence independent of age, sex, smoking, 24 h systolic blood pressure and body mass index differences. No statistically significant results were noted for peri-implantitis. Linear regression models confirmed a positive association of cumulative mucosal/gingival inflammation (β = 0.011, SE 0.002, P < 0.001), diagnosis of periodontitis (β = 0.114, SE 0.020, P < 0.001), and peri-implant diseases (β = 0.011, SE 0.002, P < 0.001) with increased c-IMT values. Conclusions: This study confirms a positive association between mucosal/gingival inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis assessed by c-IMT values and the presence of carotid plaque in patients with hypertension, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Future studies are needed to further characterize this relationship