Treatment of anogenital condylomata acuminata with topical photodynamic therapy: report of 14 cases and review

Summary Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an emerging technique for the treatment of genital human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced benign and premalignant lesions. We report herein a case series of anogenital CA successfully treated with ALA-PDT and review the literature available to date on this topic. Thirteen out of 14 cases of anogenital condylomata acuminata were successfully treated with topical PDT. We conclude that PDT can be considered a highly effective and safe treatment option for anogenital condylomata acuminata. Also, considering the available literature, the best results are likely to be achieved with a 16–20% gel formulation of 5-ALA and a red light dose of 100–150J/cm 2

Learning from Other Community Renewable Energy Projects: Transnational Transfer of Multi-Functional Energy Gardens from the Netherlands to Germany

Citizen energy in general and renewable energy communities (RECs) in particular are becoming key vehicles for decentralisation, but also for the democratisation of the energy system. These initiatives are now more diverse than ever and are likely to continue to act as incubators for significant projects in the transition to a renewable energy system. Beside the legal, regulatory, and financial challenges, there are several socio-economic and regulatory barriers that hinder the implementation of community energy projects. For this reason, policy learning and the dissemination of good/best practices that are transferable also to other contexts are important. This is an aspect that has not yet attracted much investigation, and only a few studies have explored the importance of transfer activities for the implementation of REC initiatives and their motives. This article aimed to address this knowledge gap by focussing on the transfer processes of best practices initiated in a particular region and discusses how these can be adapted and transferred to other contexts. We analysed the transfer case of a community renewable energy initiative, the multifunctional energy gardens, from the Netherlands to the German federal State of Thuringia, and extracted lessons with an overall validity for the transferability of drivers and success factors. We show how examples from other contexts with similar enabling conditions can represent significant foundations on which to build an effective strategy and what framework conditions are necessary to enhance the uptake of pervasive community energy initiatives in regions with low community energy development

Bullying and malocclusion in adolescence: a case report

ABSTRACT Introduction: Adolescents with bad malocclusion can more often be victims of bullying and the improvement of their facial appearance through oral rehabilitation is nowadays an important issue. The aim of this case report was to describe the orthodontic treatment in a teenager with a dentoskeletal malocclusion exposed to bullying to correct his occlusal problems and improve facial esthetics and quality of life. Case presentation: The patient, a boy aged 13.5 years, had a class II, division 1, malocclusion with hyperdivergent pattern, mandibular asymmetry, constricted maxillary arch and molar crossbite, increased overjet, lower mild crowding and lip sucking. A two-phase approach was necessary to achieve proper occlusion, better esthetics and promote the patient\u27s self-esteem with consequent greater serenity of his family. Conclusion: Treatment of adolescent patients with severe dento-skeletal malocclusions is among the most difficult challenges for orthodontists. Orthodontic therapy cannot simply aim a simple occlusal correction but also have to establish a valid methodology to remove the "cause" of bullying and to treat the patient, together with appropriate psychological support

Clinical Behavior of the Gingival Margin following Conservative "Coronally Dynamic" Restorations in the Presence of Non-Carious Cervical Lesions Associated with Gingival Recession: A Pilot Study

Gingival recessions (GR) are often associated with the presence of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL). The latter result in the disappearance of the cement-enamel junction (CEJ), with consequent difficulties both in measuring the recession itself and in performing root coverage techniques. The restoration of cervical lesions is consequently an important aspect in the treatment of GR, with the re-establishment of a "new" CEJ. This pilot study aimed to verify whether restorative therapy alone, with the execution of a restoration that mimics the convexity of the natural CEJ and thanks to a slight horizontal over-contour, can stabilize a clot in the intrasulcular site and consequently is able to change the position of the gingival margin in a coronal direction. In periodontally healthy patients, with a non-thin gingival phenotype, 10 GR-associated NCCL restorations were performed using a protocol inspired by concepts of prosthetic conditioning, with a progressively reduced convexity ("coronally dynamic restoration") and de-epithelialization of the gingival sulcus. We observed that 70% of the treated teeth showed a reduction in crown length after 15 days (-0.267 mm), without an increase in probing depth. While considering the limitations of the sample and the need to evaluate the different parameters that can affect the result, the coronally dynamic restoration of NCCL with GR was able to influence the position of the gingival margin in a coronal direction

Feasibility and Accuracy of Transduodenal Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Solid Lesions Using a 19-Gauge Flexible Needle: A Multicenter Study

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Factors Affecting Patient Compliance during Orthodontic Treatment with Aligners: Motivational Protocol and Psychological Well-Being

Objective:Compliance is critical for successful outcomes in orthodontics, and personality traits may play a role in determining patient adherence. This study aimed to monitor compliance during treatment with removable clear aligners (CA) [Align Technology Inc, San José, Calif ], and evaluate the influence of motivational techniques and the patient’s profiles assessed through the psychological wellbeing (PWB) questionnaire on clinical outcomes.Methods:Thirty-nine consecutive patients in permanent dentition seeking treatment with CA were recruited from two universities. Casts were obtained before treatment and after 3, 6, and 12 months and the corresponding digital Clincheck©.STL files were used to calculate the discrepancy index to check for differences between virtual and real treatment stages. Patients were divided into two groups: the Case group, which received motivational techniques at each appointment, and the control group which received instructions only at the beginning. Psychological profiles were evaluated before treatment (T0) and after 3 (T1), 6 (T2), and 12 (T3) months.Results:There were no differences between the Case and Control groups regarding the use of motivational reminders. The analysis of the PWB showed that almost all values increased, and there was a strong correlation between dental casts and correspondent. STL files at every time point. The PWB showed increased values from T0 to T3 in the sample.Conclusion:Motivational techniques did not affect patient compliance, and treatment outcomes were achieved as planned. The PWB of all patients improved throughout the treatment with CA

Public Health Response to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Concern about Ultra-Processed Food Consumption

Introduction: There is scientific consistency in the concept of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as a descriptor of an unhealthy diet. The most recent literature points to troubling evidence that policies adopted to address the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may have contributed to diverting eating habits toward a poorer diet. Considering the historically unique SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdown scenario, and the health burden imposed by UPFs on human health, it is critical to investigate how the epidemic has influenced UPF intake directly. Reviewing the literature, we aimed to assess the changes in the consumption of UPFs during the pandemic lockdown compared to previous habits in the general population. Methods: Consulting six databases, we examined articles investigating the consumption of UPFs according to the NOVA classification both before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and during lockdowns. In total, 28 reports were included in the final analysis. Results: A clear trend of an increasing consumption of sweets (chocolate, candy, cookies, pastries, cakes, desserts, and confectionery, 31.75% increase vs. 21.06% decrease), packaged fatty or salty snacks (23.71% increase vs. 20.73% decrease), and baked goods (bread products, pizza, and sandwiches, 28.03% increase vs. 13.5% decrease) emerged, versus a decrease in ready-to-eat dishes (16.2% increase vs. 22.62% decrease) and ready-made meals (10.6% increase vs. 31.43% decrease), such as instant soups, canned foods, fast food, and chips, as well as sugary drinks in general (14.55% increase vs. 22.65% decrease). No trend was observed for processed meat consumption. Conclusion: The current pandemic scenario raises concerns about the increased consumption of UPFs, especially sweets, snacks, and baked goods, and points to an urgent need to implement policy strategies to manage the trade in these foods from a preventive perspective

Trends in Coffee and Tea Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the last two years, many countries have enforced confinement to limit both the spread of COVID-19 and the demand for medical care. Confinement has resulted in a disruption of work routines, boredom, depression, and changes in eating habits, among them consumption of coffee and tea. Following six databases, we examined articles tracking consumption of these beverages. Out of 472 articles, including 23 beverage entries, 13 matched our criteria. While no clear trend in coffee consumption during the coronavirus pandemic emerged (7 of 13 studies indicated an increase, accounting for 53.8%), tea consumption clearly increased (70% versus 30%). Considering the global health emergency continuum, more research is needed to better understand the paths underlying food choices and the ways those changes may influence health outcomes, including those related to COVID-19 disease

Development, validation of LC-MS/MS method and determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of the stroke neuroprotectant Neurounina-1 in Beagle dog plasma after intravenous administration

Neurounina-1 [chemical name: 7-nitro-5-phenyl-1-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-2(3H)-one] is a new compound provided with relevant neuroprotective effect during stroke and in neonatal hypoxia by increasing the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) isoforms NCX1 and NCX2 activity. This study shows for the first time, the development and validation of a sensitive and selective method for analysis of neurounina-1 in beagle dog plasma by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The sample preparation consisted of extraction of the analyte and the internal standard (IS) (ropivacaine) from plasma (50 mu L) by liquid-liquid extraction using acetonitrile (100 mu L). The selected reaction monitoring mode of the positive ion was performed and the precursor to the product ion transitions of m/z 365 > 83 and m/z 275 > 126 were used to measure the derivative of neurounina-1 and ropivacaine. The chromatographic separation was achieved using a Phenomenex C18 Luna (150 mm x 4.6 mm x 5 mu m) analytical column with an isocratic mobile phase composed of methanol/acetonitrile/water (50/40/10, v/v/v) + 0.1% formic acid + 1 M ammonium formate. The method was linear over a concentration range of 1-500 ng/mL. The method was applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of neurounina-1 after a single intravenous administration of three different doses (0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg) to beagle dogs (n = 5). The mean AUC(0-tlast) values were 26.10, 115.81, and 257.28 ng*h/mL following intravenous administration of 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg, respectively. Linear pharmacokinetics was observed up to 1.0 mg/kg. The neurounina-1 was rapidly eliminated, with mean CL values of 46.24, 47.57, and 69.15 L/h, Vd of 130.31, 154.15, and 210.79 L and t(1/2) of 2.14, 2.54, and 2.04 h after intravenous administration of 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg, respectively. This new analytical method allows the rapid determination of the neurounina-1, a new developed compound, able to exert a remarkable neuroprotective effect in the low nanomolar range10CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPsem informação2016/22506-1This pharmacokinetic trial was supported by Programma Operativo Nazionale (PON_01602 and PON03PE_00146_1) from MIUR, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP – Grant n° 2016/22506-1