Knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practices of E-cigarette use among dental students: A multinational survey

E-cigarette use is a trend worldwide nowadays with mounting evidence on associated morbidities and mortality. Dentists can modify the smoking behaviors of their patients. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, beliefs, attitude, and practice of E-cigarette use among dental students. This multinational, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study recruited undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools in 11 countries. The outcome variable was current smoking status (non-smoker, E-cigarette user only, tobacco cigarette smoker only, dual user). The explanatory variables were country of residence, sex, age, marital status, and educational level. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the explanatory variables associated with E-cigarette smoking. Of the 5697 study participants, 5156 (90.8%) had heard about E-cigarette, and social media was the most reported source of information for 33.2% of the participants. For the 5676 current users of E-cigarette and/or tobacco smoking, 4.5% use E-cigarette, and 4.6% were dual users. There were significant associations between knowledge and country (P< 0.05), educational level (B = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.21; P = 0.016) and smoking status (P< 0.05). The country of residence (P< 0.05) and smoking status (P< 0.05) were the only statistically significant factors associated with current smoking status. Similarly, there were statistically significant associations between attitude and country (P< 0.05 for one country only compared to the reference) and history of previous E-cigarette exposure (B = -0.52; 95% CI: -0.91, -0.13; P = 0.009). Also, the practice of E-cigarettes was significantly associated with country (P< 0.05 for two countries only compared to the reference) and gender (B = -0.33; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.13; P = 0.001). The knowledge of dental students about E-cigarette was unsatisfactory, yet their beliefs and attitudes were acceptable. Topics about E-cigarette should be implemented in the dental curriculum.Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, for funding through the Vice Deanship of Scientific Research for Research Chairs. Qatar National Library for the open access funding

Oral health practices and self-reported adverse effects of E-cigarette use among dental students in 11 countries: an online survey

Objectives: E-cigarette use has become popular, particularly among the youth. Its use is associated with harmful general and oral health consequences. This survey aimed to assess self-reported oral hygiene practices, oral and general health events, and changes in physiological functions (including physical status, smell, taste, breathing, appetite, etc.) due to E-cigarette use among dental students. Methods: This online, multicounty survey involved undergraduate dental students from 20 dental schools across 11 different countries. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, E-cigarette practices, self-reported complaints, and associated physiological changes due to E-cigarette smoking. Data were descriptively presented as frequencies and percentages. A Chi-square test was used to assess the potential associations between the study group and sub-groups with the different factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS at P < 0.05. Results: Most respondents reported regular brushing of their teeth, whereas only 70% used additional oral hygiene aids. Reported frequencies of complaints ranged from as low as 3.3% for tongue inflammation to as high as 53.3% for headache, with significant differences between E-cigarette users and non-users. Compared to non-smokers, E-cigarette users reported significantly higher prevalence of dry mouth (33.1% vs. 23.4%; P < 0.001), black tongue (5.9% vs. 2.8%; P = 0.002), and heart palpitation (26.3%% vs. 22.8%; P = 0.001). Although two-thirds of the sample reported no change in their physiological functions, E-cigarette users reported significant improvement in their physiological functions compared to never smokers or tobacco users. Conclusion: Dental students showed good oral hygiene practices, but E-cigarette users showed a higher prevalence of health complications.Dental Biomaterials Research Chair, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University. The funder has no role in the design of the study as well as in the methodology, analysis, and interpretation of the data

Rehabilitation of an Extremely Resorbed Edentulous Mandible by Short and Narrow Dental Implants

Serious consequences of long-term complete denture wearing may be extreme residual ridge atrophy and a reduced area of keratinized oral mucosa of a denture-bearing area. This paper presents five clinical cases of extreme mandibular ridge atrophy, rehabilitated by means of mandibular overdentures retained by short mini dental implants. The patients had a reduced mandibular bone volume in the interforaminal region, bone height less than 10 mm, and buccolingual bone width less than 4 mm. In order to avoid bone augmentation, patients received four short mini dental implants (MDIs) (6 or 8 mm long; 2.0 or 2.5 mm wide) for the support of mandibular overdentures, which is a new rehabilitation option. After insertion, the MDIs were early loaded with new mandibular overdentures reinforced with the CoCr framework. The patients have been wearing their overdentures for 2 years. One MDI broke during insertion and a new one was added. One patient lost one MDI but successfully continued to wear the overdenture retained by the remaining three MDIs. Mean marginal bone loss (MBL) was 0.20 ± 0.19 mm. Patients significantly improved their OHRQoL and chewing function by reducing the summary scores of the OHIP-14 and the chewing function questionnaires. The improvements remained unchanged throughout the observation period

Mini-Implants Retaining Removable Partial Dentures in Subjects without Posterior Teeth: A 5-Year Prospective Study Comparing the Maxilla and the Mandible

Background and objectives: Long-term studies of clinical outcomes of mini-implants (MDIs) in the first premolar/canine sites retaining a bilateral free-ending removable partial dentures (RPD) in Kennedy class I subjects have not been well documented. The aim was to assess clinical outcomes in a prospective 5-year cohort study comparing the mandible and maxilla. Material and Methods: Participants (n = 92) who received two MDIs each and a new RPD were reviewed after one, three and five years. A total of 71 participants (82 mini-implants in the mandible; 58 in the maxilla) completed the study. Marginal bone level change, success, survival rates, Modified Plaque (MPI) and Bleeding Indices (MBI) were assessed. Results: The five-year success rate was 93.3% and 93.4% (p &gt; 0.05), in the mandible and the maxilla, respectively. Mean peri-implant bone loss (MBL) increased significantly over five years (p &lt; 0.01) to 0.50 mm in the mandible and 0.52 mm in the maxilla. Age had a significant effect on the MBL (higher rates in younger participants), while jaw of insertion, gender, and antagonistic jaw status did not. MPI and MBI were not significantly correlated with MBL. Conclusions: The insertion of two MDIs in previous first premolar/canine sites for retention of a free-end saddle RPD can be a successful treatment modality in subjects with narrow alveolar ridges

Severe Shoot Trimming and Crop Size as Tools to Modulate Cv. Merlot Berry Composition

Viticulture production is challenged by climate change and the consequent higher accumulation of carbohydrates in grapevine berries, resulting in high-alcoholic wines. This study investigates the application of severe shoot trimming performed at three different stages and crop size management as tools for the modulation of cv. Merlot berry composition, aimed at reducing the sugar content in the berry. In the first study, the effects of severe shoot trimming carried out at three different phenological stages were studied. In the second study, late severe shoot trimming was combined with two crop sizes and regulated by shoot thinning. The obtained results demonstrated that severe shoot trimming in earlier stages of berry development limited the accumulation of both sugars and anthocyanins as compared to the control treatment. However, when severe shoot trimming was performed at late veraison (at approximately 14 Brix), it decreased only the accumulation of sugars, without affecting the accumulation of anthocyanins. The results of the second study showed that the modification of crop size by shoot thinning significantly affected the measured yield parameters, whereas the effect on Brix and anthocyanins was seasonally dependent. It was concluded that among the studied techniques, severe shoot trimming at late veraison is the most effective way to reduce sugar content in the berry without affecting the accumulation of anthocyanins

Związek między stanem odżywienia a stosowaniem inhibitorów pompy protonowej u pacjentów poddawanych rehabilitacji kardiologicznej po leczeniu niedokrwiennej i zastawkowej choroby serca

Background: Multiple and yet uncertain connections exist between cardiovascular diseases and the nutritional status of patients, particularly in relation to cardiovascular treatments. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are among the most commonly used group of drugs. Aim: To analyse utilisation of PPI in association with nutritional risk of patients scheduled for rehabilitation after treatment for ischaemic and valvular heart disease. Methods: Retrospective analyses on a consecutive sample of patients, which included drug utilisation of PPI and nutritional risk screening, using a standardised NRS-2002 tool. The patients (n = 536) were divided into groups based on previous cardiovascular treatments and use of PPI. Results: Nearly half of the patients (244, 46.1%) had PPI in their chronic therapy despite the clinically negligible prevalence of conditions that are their fundamental indications. The odds for using PPI in patients with increased nutritional risk, estimated by logistic regression, were 3.34 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 2.26–4.94), p &lt; 0.001. Receiver operating curve analyses also revealed significant differences of PPI utilisation in connection with NRS-2002 &gt; 3: positive likelihood-ratio (LR) 2.35 (95% CI 2.10–2.60); negative LR 0.46 (95% CI 0.4–0.6); area under the curve (AUC) 0.720; p &lt; 0.001; as well as the percentage weigh loss history &gt; 6.36% (positive LR 2.22 [95% CI 2.00–2.50]; negative LR 0.41 [95% CI 0.30–0.50]; AUC 0.707; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Utilisation of PPI was found to be of relatively high prevalence and significantly associated with parameters of nutritional risk screening. Furthermore, it was in correlation with the age of patients and the existence of chronic kidney disease, which are well-established predispositions for poor nutritional status. Nutritional risk seems to be additionally negatively challenged by utilisation of PPI due to gastric malabsorption and anaemia.Wstęp: Istnieją liczne i nieustalone w pełni powiązania między chorobami sercowo-naczyniowymi a stanem odżywienia chorych, zwłaszcza w przypadku stosowania leków działających na układ sercowo-naczyniowy. Do grupy najczęściej wykorzystywanych preparatów należą inhibitory pompy protonowej (PPI). Cel: Celem badania było przeanalizowanie zależności między stosowaniem PPI a ryzykiem związanym ze stanem odżywienia pacjentów poddawanych rehabilitacji kardiologicznej po leczeniu choroby niedokrwiennej i zastawkowej serca. Metody: Przeprowadzono retrospektywną analizę kolejnych prób chorych obejmującą stosowanie PPI i badanie przesiewowe w kierunku ryzyka związanego ze stanem odżywienia, wykorzystując wystandaryzowane narzędzie NRS-2002. Pacjentów (n = 536) podzielono na grupy w zależności od wcześniejszego leczenia chorób sercowo-naczyniowych i stosowania PPI. Wyniki: Prawie połowa chorych (244 osoby, 46,1%) przyjmowała PPI w ramach długookresowej terapii, mimo że zaburzenia stanowiące podstawowe wskazania do ich stosowania występowały u niewielkiego (nieistotnego klinicznie) odsetka badanych. Prawdopodobieństwo stosowania PPI u chorych obciążonych zwiększonym ryzykiem związanym ze stanem odżywienia oszacowane metodą regresji logistycznej wynosiło 3,34 (95% przedział ufności [CI] 2,26–4,94), p &lt; 0,001. Analiza krzywej ROC również wykazała istotną różnicę w stosowaniu PPI w związku z NRS-2002 &gt; 3: iloraz prawdopodobieństwa (LR) otrzymania wyniku dodatniego: 2,35 (95% CI 2,10–2,60); LR otrzymania wyniku ujemnego: 0,46 (95% CI 0,4–0,6); pole pod krzywą (AUC): 0,720; p &lt; 0,001; oraz procentowa utrata masy ciała &gt; 6,36% (LR wyniku dodatniego: 2,22 [95% CI 2,00–2,50]; LR wyniku ujemnego: 0,41 [95% CI 0,30–0,50]; AUC: 0,707; p &lt; 0,001. Wnioski: Stwierdzono, że leki z grupy PPI były wykorzystywane stosunkowo często. Terapia tymi preparatami wiązała się istotnie z parametrami oceny ryzyka związanego ze stanem odżywienia, a także korelowała z wiekiem pacjentów i obecnością przewlekłej choroby nerek, będących uznanymi czynnikami predysponującymi do złego stanu odżywienia. Wydaje się, że stosowanie PPI dodatkowo zwiększa ryzyko związane ze stanem odżywienia ze względu na zmniejszenie wchłaniania w żołądku i niedokrwistość

Modification of Cv. Merlot Berry Composition and Wine Sensory Characteristics by Different Leaf Area to Fruit Ratios

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cluster thinning and severe shoot trimming on berry and wine composition and wine sensory characteristics of Merlot variety, in the context of climate change challenges related to grapevine ripening and the corresponding high alcohol content in wine. In two seasons, two different crop sizes were obtained via cluster thinning and combined in a two-factorial design with severe shoot trimming (SST) and its respective high canopy control (HC). In both seasons, cluster thinning (CT) resulted in higher Brix in grape juice and higher alcohol in wine than full crop size (FC), whereas SST obtained lower values than HC. Total anthocyanins and phenolics in wine were increased by CT, whereas SST had no any significant effect on wine’s phenolic content. Several sensory characteristics of wine were positively affected by CT in both seasons, including aroma intensity, wine body and overall wine quality, whereas SST wines were in one season characterized by increased perception of vegetal aroma, acidity and bitterness, and decreased perception of body, persistency and taste balance. Our results demonstrate that practices which affect the leaf area to fruit ratio have a major impact on wine sensorial characteristics, concluding that their choice should be based on the desired wine style

Public report on current methods in CS Engagement CSI-COP EU H2020 project (Report D2.1, CSI-COP)

Abstract CSI-COP deliverable D2.1 is a public research report realised from the exhaustive literature review conducted for Task 2.1 by the involved partners in the research phase of the EU Horizon2020 science with and for society (SwafS) project Citizen scientists investigating cookies and app GDPR compliance (CSI-COP). With the report produced from the next T2.2 research task, deliverable D2.2 (due M06), D2.1 will lead to the development of CSI-COP project’s framework for best practices in inclusive citizen science recruitment and engagement