The use of a non-absorbable membrane as an occlusive barrier for alveolar ridge preservation: A one year follow-up prospective cohort study

The aims of this study were to obtain preliminary data and test the clinical efficacy of a novel nonporous dense-polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane (permamem®, botiss) in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures with a flapless approach. A traumatic extraction was performed in the premolar maxillary area, and a d-PTFE membrane was used to seal the alveolar cavity: no biomaterial was used to graft the socket and the membrane was left intentionally exposed and stabilized with sutures. The membrane was removed after four weeks and dental implants were placed four months after the procedure. The primary outcome variables were defined as the dimensional changes in the ridge width and height after four months. A total of 15 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean width of the alveolar cavity was 8.9 ± 1.1 mm immediately after tooth extraction, while four months later a mean reduction of 1.75 mm was experienced. A mean vertical reduction of 0.9 ± 0.42 mm on the buccal aspect and 0.6 ± 0.23 mm on the palatal aspect were recorded at implant placement. Within the limitations of this study, the d-PTFE membrane proved to be effective in alveolar ridge preservation, with the outcomes of the regeneration not affected by the complete exposure of this biomaterial

Structural connectivity and functional properties of the macaque superior parietal lobule

Despite the consolidated belief that the macaque superior parietal lobule (SPL) is entirely occupied by Brodmann’s area 5, recent data show that macaque SPL also hosts a large cortical region with structural and functional features similar to that of Brodmann’s area 7. According to these data, the anterior part of SPL is occupied by a somatosensory-dominated cortical region that hosts three architectural and functional distinct regions (PE, PEci, PEip) and the caudal half of SPL by a bimodal somato-visual region that hosts four areas: PEc, MIP, PGm, V6A. To date, the most studied areas of SPL are PE, PEc, and V6A. PE is essentially a high-order somatomotor area, while PEc and V6A are bimodal somatomotor–visuomotor areas, the former with predominant somatosensory input and the latter with predominant visual input. The functional properties of these areas and their anatomical connectivity strongly suggest their involvement in the control of limb movements. PE is suggested to be involved in the preparation/execution of limb movements, in particular, the movements of the upper limb; PEc in the control of movements of both upper and lower limbs, as well as in their interaction with the visual environment; V6A in the control of reach-to-grasp movements performed with the upper limb. In humans, SPL is traditionally considered to have a different organization with respect to macaques. Here, we review several lines of evidence suggesting that this is not the case, showing a similar structure for human and non-human primate SPLs

Characterisation of wine yeasts isolated at different temperatures using the enrichment technique

Research NoteSaccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from fermenting grape must incubated at extreme fermentation temperatures (40 and 5 degrees C) were oenologically characterised. These cultures compared with S. cerevisiae wine strains, show a wider optimum temperature for growth and can ferment vigorously in a wider temperature range (27 to 35 degrees C)

A Traffic Merging and Generation Framework for Realistic Synthesis of Network Traffic

The Internet is steadily growing and is of increasing importance for our economy and society. Due to this increased importance it is also in the focus of attacks, e.g. distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. As attackers dynamically change their attack behaviour, novel detection approaches that are able to automatically adjust to these dynamic attacks are needed. To train and test such network anomaly detection systems, it is necessary to provide realistic data. As of today, this area of research suffers from the lack of publicly available datasets that can be used to train and test anomaly detection systems and are exchangeable to allow reproducible research. Therefore, we propose a novel framework that enables researchers and developers to generate customizable synthetic datasets. It not only allows to generate fully-synthetic network traffic, but also to generate semi-synthetic network traffic by merging of multiple network captures from reallive environments. Further, it allows the mapping of IP addresses as well as the modi﬿cation of other header ﬿elds, if desired. This enables researchers and developers to exchange network traces from sensitive environments without revealing any sensitive end-user related information, while perceiving the relevant characteristics of the network(s) and attack(s). In the following, we provide a description of, the problem, our concept and the features of our solution, the architecture and functional model and ﬿nally provide a short summary together with an outlook for future work

Long-term clinical and radiographic analysis of platform matching and platform switching implants in the esthetic zone: a retrospective cohort study

Background: The aims of this study are to retrospectively compare the clinical, radiographic and esthetic outcomes of platform switching (PS) and platform matching (PM) dental implants in the anterior maxilla after ≥ 10 years of functional loading. Methods: Marginal bone loss (MBL) levels were recorded; furthermore, peri-implant clinical parameters (PPD, BOP, PI) were collected and the Pink and White Esthetic scores (PES/WES) were used to evaluate the esthetic outcomes. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed to compare collected parameters among the two groups, with a p-value < 0.05. Results: A final sample of 58 patients was enrolled in this study (PM implants = 29; PS implants = 29). PS implants showed lower MBL levels (1.02 ± 0.81 mm vs. 1.67 ± 0.99 mm, p = 0.028) and PPD values (3.69 ± 1.1 vs. 5.16 ± 1.09 mm, p < 0.001) compared to PM implants. Mean PES values were higher in the PS group compared to the PM group (8.46 ± 0.69 vs. 7.89 ± 0.78, p < 0.005), while there were no differences for WES values (7.82 ± 1.09 vs. 7.71 ± 0.85, p > 0.05) and peri-implant diseases’ prevalence (p > 0.05). Conclusions: After 10 years, PS implants showed statistically significant lower MBL and PPD values and higher PES values compared to PM implants

Microbiological profiles of dental implants in metabolic syndrome patients: a case-control study

There is a lack of knowledge on the possible influence of systemic conditions on peri-implantitis. The aim of this case-control study is to evaluate the difference in terms of oral patho-gens’ concentrations in the peri-implant sulcus of a group of patients affected by metabolic syndrome (Mets) compared to healthy subjects. For each patient, peri-implant sulcular biofilm samples were obtained by inserting two sterile endodontic paper points in the deepest aspect of the peri-implant sulcus for 30 s. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate total bacterial counts of six pathogens. Patients were screened for peri-implant diseases and clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded. A total of 50 patients was enrolled in the study, 25 affected by Mets and 25 healthy. Significantly higher bacterial counts were discovered for Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans (p = 0.0008), Prevotella Intermedia (p = 0.0477) and Staphylococ-cus Aureus (p = 0.034) in MetS patients compared to healthy subjects. Performing a sub-group anal-ysis, considering peri-implant status and dividing patients by MetS diagnosis, no statistically sig-nificant (p < 0.05) differences were found. For the first time, a correlation between MetS presence and a greater prevalence of some bacterial species in the peri-implant sulcus was reported, irrespec-tively from peri-implant status (health vs disease)

A case study on the application of the MSFD to Mediterranean coastal systems: the Po plume, as a transitional water system in the Northern Adriatic basin.

1 - In the frame of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) of the European Community, in order to assess the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the marine coastal and estuarine waters, the eutrophication descriptors include several aspects of the phytoplankton communities (such as composition, abundance and biomass). 2 - Two oceanographic campaigns were carried out in the area off the Po River plume, where a highly dynamic frontal zone separates an inshore and an offshore system. The coupling of size structure and diagnostic pigments of phytoplankton communities in relation to different environmental contexts are tested as an expedite and informative tool to assess water quality sensu MSFD. 3 - The Po plume creates a very dynamic frontal zone, resulting in strong trophic gradients within a relatively small area. 4 - The spatio-temporal variability of salinity in coastal waters and in transitional waters plays a pivotal role in structuring phytoplankton communities. 5 - The dynamics of forcing factors drive changes in cell-size structure, in the functional group composition as well as a shift in size within the same functional group. 6 - The combination of phytoplankton size-structure and chemotaxonomic compositions is proposed as an expedite tool for investigating, at the appropriate scales, the ecology of transitional water systems

Unusual Skin Toxicity after a Chemotherapic Combination

As known calciphylaxis (CPX) is a rare condition involving subcutaneous vascular calcification and cutaneous necrosis, mostly observed in patients with renal failure. However CPX may also appear in patients affected by polymyositis, Sjogren syndrome, Lupus Erythematosus systemicus, Sarcoidosis and rheumatoid arthritis, especially in children. Clinically CPX can present itself as subcutaneous nodules, infiltrate plaques or purpuric-like and livedo-like plaques, while in the late stages necrotic ulcers (with a bizarre shape and severe pain) may be the main cutaneous manifestations

Reasons for tooth extractions and related risk factors in adult patients: a cohort study

Background: The aimof this studywas to evaluate oral status, the reasons for tooth extractions and related risk factors in adult patients attending a hospital dental practice. Methods: 120 consecutive patients ranging from23 to 91 years in age (mean age of 63.3 - 15.8) having a total of 554 teeth extracted were included. Surveys about general health status were conducted and potential risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and age were investigated. Results: a total of 1795 teeth weremissing after extraction procedures and the mean number of remaining teeth after the extraction process was 16.8 ± 9.1 per patient. Caries (52.2%) was the most common reason for extraction along with periodontal disease (35.7%). Males were more prone to extractions, with 394 of the teeth extracted out of the total of 554 (71.1%). Male sex (β = 2.89; 95% CI 1.26, 4.53; p = 0.001) and smoking habit (β = 2.95; 95% CI 1.12, 4.79; p = 0.002) were related to a higher number of teeth extracted. Age (β = -0.24; 95% CI -0.31, -0.16; p < 0.001) and diabetes (β = -4.47; 95% CI -7.61, -1.33; p = 0.006) were related to a higher number of missing teeth at evaluation time. Moreover, periodontal disease was more common as a reason of extraction among diabetic patients than among non-diabetic ones (p = 0.04). Conclusions: caries and periodontal disease were the most common causes of extraction in a relatively old study population: further screening strategies might be required for the early interception of caries and periodontal disease

The treatment of peri-implant diseases: A new approach using HYBENX® as a decontaminant for implant surface and oral tissues

Background: Peri-implantitis is a pathological condition characterized by an inflammatory process involving soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants. The management of periimplant disease has several protocols, among which is the chemical method HYBENX®. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of HYBENX® in the treatment of peri-implantitis and to compare HYBENX® with other chemical agents used in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Methods: The present study included a population of ten subjects with severe peri-implantitis. The procedure used in the study involves the application of HYBENX® after open-flap debridement. Each patient has been followed for 12 months after a single application of the decontaminant agent. Clinical and radiographical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after treatment completion. Results: At baseline, a mean pocket probing depth (PPD) of 7.3 - 0.5 mm and a mean clinical attachment level (CAL) of 8.8 - 0.8 mm was recorded. An average residual PPD of 4.2 - 0.5 mm and a mean CAL of 5.2 - 0.8 mm were observed after 1 year. Additionally, the average of bone gain was about 3.4 mm, with a mean marginal bone level (MBL) change from 5.8 mm (baseline) to 2.4 mm (12 months). In total, 90% of the treated implants reached the success rate after the 1-year follow-up. Only in one case out of ten treated implants was resolution of the disease not achieved. Conclusion: Clinical improvements highlight that the procedure of open-flap debridement (OFD) + HYBENX® may be considered an effective technique in the treatment of peri-implantitis. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of HYBENX® in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis is promising. Overall, this protocol demands further studies to better understand the role and potential benefits of HYBENX® in the treatment of peri-implantitis