Review of Maxillary Expansion Appliance Activation Methods: Engineering and Clinical Perspectives

Objective. Review the reported activation methods of maxillary expansion devices for midpalatal suture separation from an engineering perspective and suggest areas of improvement. Materials and Methods. A literature search of Scopus and PubMed was used to determine current expansion methods. A U.S. and Canadian patent database search was also conducted using patent classification and keywords. Any paper presenting a new method of expansion was included. Results. Expansion methods in use, or patented, can be classified as either a screw- or spring-type, magnetic, or shape memory alloy expansion appliance. Conclusions. Each activation method presented unique advantages and disadvantages from both clinical and engineering perspectives. Areas for improvement still remain and are identified in the paper

Photo-polymerisation variables influence the structure and subsequent thermal response of dental resin matrices

Objective The structure of the polymer phase of dental resin-based-composites is highly sensitive to photo-polymerisation variables. The objective of this study was to understand how different polymer structures, generated with different photo-polymerisation protocols, respond to thermal perturbation. Methods Experimental resins were prepared from a series of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA blends (40/60, 50/50 and 60/40 wt.%), with either Camphorquinone/DMAEMA or Lucirin TPO as the photo-initiator system. Resins were photo-polymerised, in a disc geometry, at either relatively ‘high’ (3000 mW cm−2 for 6 s) or ‘low’ (300 mW cm−2 for 60 s) irradiances ensuring matched radiant exposures (18 J cm−2). Specimens were heated, from 20−160 °C at a rate of 5 °C min−1, whilst simultaneous synchrotron X-ray scattering measurements were taken at 5 °C increments to determine changes in polymer chain segment extension and medium-range order as a function of temperature. For each unique resin composition (n = 3), differential scanning calorimetry was used to measure glass transition temperatures using the same heating protocol. A paired t-test was used to determine significant differences in the glass transition temperature between irradiance protocols and photo-initiator chemistry at ɑ = 0.05. Results Resins pre-polymerised through the use of TPO and or high irradiances demonstrated a reduced rate of chain extension indicative of lower thermal expansion and a larger decrease in relative order when heated below the glass transition temperature. Above the transition temperature, differences in the rate of chain extension were negligible, but slower converted systems showed greater relative order. There was no significant difference in the glass transition temperature between different photo-initiator systems or irradiance protocols. Significance The evolution of chain extension and medium-range order during heating is dependent on the initial polymer structure which is influenced by photo-polymerisation variables. Less ordered systems, generated at faster rates of reactive group conversion displayed reduced chain extension below the glass transition temperature and maintained lower order throughout heating

Carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter spp. isolated in Spain from 2013 to 2015 produced a variety of carbapenemases including VIM-1, OXA-48, KPC-2, NDM-1 and VIM-2

Objectives: There is little information about carbapenemase-producing (CP) Citrobacter spp.We studied the molecular epidemiology and microbiological features of CP Citrobacter spp. isolates collected in Spain (2013-15). Methods: In total, 119 isolates suspected of being CP by the EUCAST screening cut-off values were analysed. Carbapenemases and ESBLs were characterized using PCR and sequencing. The genetic relationship among Citrobacter freundii isolates was studied by PFGE. Results: Of the 119 isolates, 63 (52.9%) produced carbapenemases, of which 37 (58.7%) produced VIM-1, 20 (31.7%) produced OXA-48, 12 (19%) produced KPC-2, 2 (3.2%) produced NDM-1 and 1 (1.6%) produced VIM- 2; 9 C. freundii isolates co-produced VIM-1 plus OXA-48. Fourteen isolates (22.2%) also carried ESBLs: 8 CTX-M-9 plus SHV-12, 2 CTX-M-9, 2 SHV-12 and 2 CTX-M-15. Fifty-seven isolates (90.5%) were C. freundii, 4 (6.3%) were Citrobacter koseri, 1 (1.6%) was Citrobacter amalonaticus and 1 (1.6%) was Citrobacter braakii. By EUCAST breakpoints, eight (12.7%) of the CP isolates were susceptible to the four carbapenems tested. In the 53 CP C. freundii analysed by PFGE, a total of 44 different band patterns were observed. Four PFGE clusters were identified: cluster 1 included eight isolates co-producing VIM-1 and OXA-48; blaVIM-1 was carried in a class 1 integron (intI-blaVIM-1 - aacA4-dfrB1-aadA1-catB2-qacE¿1/sul1) and blaOXA-48 was carried in a Tn1999.2 transposon. Conclusions: We observed the clonal and polyclonal spread of CP Citrobacter spp. across several Spanish geographical areas. Four species of Citrobacter spp. produced up to five carbapenemase types, including coproduction of VIM-1 plus OXA-48. Some CP Citrobacter spp. isolates were susceptible to the four carbapenems tested, a finding with potential clinical implications

ПОКАЗНИКИ ЯКОСТІ ЯЄЦЬ КУРЕЙ КРОСІВ ЛОМАН БРАУН І ЛОМАН СЕНДІ

The paper presents the results of researches of the chemical and morphological composition of eggs of chicken crossbreeds Lohmann Brown and Lohmann Sandy. It was established that the chemical composition of egg yolks depended on the specific crossbreed and age of chickens. The chemical composition of the egg yolk of Lohmann Brown crossbreed mainly prevailed over the chemical composition of the egg yolk of Lohmann Sandy chickens of the same age, however this difference was mostly doubtful. The most relevant difference in the age of 21 weeks was in the content of the fat (0,16 % when Р<0,005), in the age of 49 weeks – in the content of the dry matter and ash (0,69% and 0,06 % respectively when Р<0,001 in both cases), in the age of 71 weeks – in the content of the protein and ach (0.18% (Р<0,01) and 0,24 % (Р<0,001) respectively). With aging of chickens, the most of the researched indicators of eggs of Lohmann Brown crossbreed underwent fluctuant changes, and only the content of the raw fat in the yolk decreased. At the same time, the eggs of Lohmann Sandy chickens of the same age demonstrated a lowering content of raw protein, raw fat and raw ash, while changes of the content of the dry matter had a fluctuant character. At the same time, with aging of both crossbreeds we observed the highly probable increase in the weight, length and width of eggs, the weight of the yolk, white and shell, while the thickness of the shell on the blunt end decreased with every next age period. The majority of morphological indicators of eggs of Lohmann Brown crossbreed exceeded the similar indicators of eggs of Lohmann Sandy chickens of the same age. This prevalence in the egg weight depending on the age period ranged from 6,81 to 7,95 grams, in the egg length – from 1,1 to 3,0 mm, in the egg width – from 1,6 to 1,8 mm, in the yolk weight – from 2,2 to 2,55 grams, in the egg white weight – from 3,83 to 4,44 grams. The concentration of hydrogen ions (pH) of the egg yolk and white depending on the age period and crossbreed of chicken ranged within 6,28-6,43 and 8,11-8,21 respectively, that corresponds to the permissible levels. The difference of the first indicator for birds of different crossbreeds was statistically reliable (P<0,001) and constituted 0,02-0,05 depending on the age period, while the difference in indicators related to the egg white was doubtful and comprised 0,02-0,13. The energy value of eggs of both controllable crossbreeds was almost equal, with the highly probable difference in the age of 21 weeks and 77 weeks.Наведено результати досліджень щодо показників хімічного та морфологічного складу яєць курей кросів Ломан Браун і Ломан Сенді. Встановлено, що хімічний склад жовтка яєць залежав від належності курей до певного кросу та віку птиці. За більшістю досліджуваних показників хімічного складу жовтка яєць кури кросу Ломан Браун переважали ровесниць кросу Ломан Сенді, однак ця перевага здебільшого була недостовірною. Вірогідна різниця у 21-тижневому віці була встановлена лише за вмістом жиру (0,16 % при Р<0,005), у 49-тижневому – за вмістом сухої речовини та золи (відповідно 0,69 та 0,06 % при Р<0,001 в обох випадках) і у 71-тижневому – за вмістом протеїну і золи (відповідно 0,18 (Р<0,01) і 0,24 % (Р<0,001)). З віком у курей кросу Ломан Браун більшість досліджуваних показників змінювалися хвилеподібно і лише вміст у жовтку яєць сирого жиру знижувався, водночас у їх ровесниць кросу Ломан Сенді знижувався вміст сирого протеїну, сирого жиру та сирої золи, а вміст сухої речовини носив хвилеподібний характер. З віком у птиці обох кросів спостерігалося також високовірогідне збільшення маси, довжини і ширини яєць, маси жовтка, білка та шкаралупи, при цьому товщина шкарлупи на тупому кінці яйця з кожним наступним віковим періодом знижувалася. З більшістю морфологічних показників яєць кури кросу Ломан Браун переважали ровесниць кросу Ломан Сенді. Ця перевага за масою яєць, залежно від вікового періоду, коливалася від 6,81 до 7,95 г, за довжиною яєць – від 1,1 до 3,0 мм, за шириною – від 1,6 до 1,8 мм, за масою жовтка – від 2,2 до 2,55, білка – від 3,83 до 4,44 г. Концентрація водневих іонів (pH) жовтка і білка яєць, залежно від вікового періоду та кросу курей, знаходилися в межах 6,28–6,43 та 8,11–8,21 відповідно, що відповідає допустимій нормі. За першим показником різниця між птицею різних кросів була достовірною (Р<0,001) і, залежно від вікового періоду, знаходилася в межах 0,02–0,05, а білка – невірогідною і становила 0,02–0,13. За енергетичною цінністю яйця курей підконтрольних кросів суттєво не відрізнялися, хоча різниця між ними за цим показником у 21 та 77-тижневому віці була високовірогідною

Life cycle, parasitism and damage of Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) in Valencia (SE Spain): A preliminary study

[EN] Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) (elm leaf beetle, ELB) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) is a serious pest for elms in urban green areas of Mediterranean climate zones in Spain. In order to design an integrated pest management strategy, a study was conducted on this insect in the city of Valencia (east Spain) in six streets that house trees of the species Ulmus minor. Four larvae increases were found that peaked in mid-May, the first half of July, the second half of August and the end of September/beginning of October. The mean degree-days accumulations required for completion one generation were 612 degrees D +/- 24.98, and 461.12 degrees D +/- 43.95 were needed between the oviposition peaks and adult emergence peaks. Larvae caused a higher degree of defoliation than adults. The defoliation levels caused by generations 1 and 2 were similar, and higher than those caused by generations 3 and 4. Defoliation ranged between 30% and 100% in September. The degree of defoliation and citizen pressure led to treatment, performed by injecting trunks with abamectin in the first generation in three streets under study. This treatment did not allow the level of defoliation to increase with each new generation, and the mean degree of defoliation remained below 30% throughout the study period. Two parasitoid species were identified: Oomyzus gallerucae (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the eggs and Erynniopsis antennata (Rondani) (Diptera, Tachinidae) from larvae, prepupae and pupae of ELB. Nonetheless, during the year of this study, and after considering the defoliation undergone by elms, the parasitism level was low and insufficient to keep Elm leaf beetle at tolerable levels. The integrated ELB management involved regularly monitoring defoliation levels with each new ELB generation by setting the treatment threshold at 20% defoliation and favouring biological control by increasing the quantity and diversity of plants in urban green areas to provide natural enemies with refuges and food.Rodrigo Santamalia, ME.; Santacruz -Bosch, A.; Xamani Monserrat, P.; Laborda Cenjor, R. (2019). Life cycle, parasitism and damage of Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) in Valencia (SE Spain): A preliminary study. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 46:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2019.126474S174

Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus Prosthetic Joint Infections: Insight on the Pathogenesis and Prognosis of a Multicenter Prospective Cohort

Background. Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Beyond the antibiogram, little attention has been paid to the influence of deep microbiological characteristics on patient prognosis. Our aim was to investigate whether microbiological genotypic and phenotypic features have a significant influence on infection pathogenesis and patient outcome.Methods. A prospective multicenter study was performed, including all S. aureus PJIs (2016-2017). Clinical data and phenotypic (agr functionality, beta-hemolysis, biofilm formation) and genotypic characteristics of the strains were collected. Biofilm susceptibility to antimicrobials was investigated (minimal biofilm eradication concentration [MBEC] assay).Results. Eighty-eight patients (39.8% men, age 74.7 +/- 14.1 years) were included. Forty-five had early postoperative infections (EPIs), 21 had chronic infections (CPIs), and 19 had hematogenous infections (HIs). Twenty (22.7%) were caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. High genotypic diversity was observed, including 16 clonal complexes (CCs), with CC5 being the most frequent (30.7%). agr activity was greater in EPI than CPI (55.6% vs 28.6%; P = .041). Strains causing EPI were phenotypically and genotypically similar, regardless of symptom duration. Treatment failure (36.5%) occurred less frequently among cases treated with implant removal. In cases treated with debridement and implant retention, there were fewer failures among those who received combination therapy with rifampin. No genotypic or phenotypic characteristics predicted failure, except vancomycin minimal inhibitory concentration >= 1.5 mg/L (23.1% failure vs 3.4%; P = .044). MBEC(50 )was >128 mg/L for all antibiotics tested and showed no association with prognosis.Conclusions. S. aureus with different genotypic backgrounds is capable of causing PJI, showing slight differences in clinical presentation and pathogenesis. No major microbiological characteristics were observed to influence the outcome, including MBEC