Oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of predisposing factors and oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection. 204 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were included in the study. Questions regarding the systemic, periodontal health, oral hygiene habits, common symptoms and, oral manifestations of COVID-19 such as oral lesions, and dry mouth were included in the survey. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used. 47.5% of individuals had various systemic diseases. Dry mouth (44.2%) and oral lesions (22.4%) were the most common oral manifestations in COVID-19 patients. Also, dry mouth had the highest VAS score. The most common oral lesion locations were buccal mucosa (15.2%) and tongue (10.8%). The majority of participants (142 patients) were affected by taste disorders. Patients who received periodontal treatment before SARS-CoV-2 infection reported fewer oral complaint and manifestations than those who did not receive periodontal therapy (p=0.032). There was no statistically significant difference between males and females on the presence of any oral manifestations, and taste disorders. Our results showed that SARS-CoV-2 could cause oral manifestations. However various predisposing factors may be part of the etiology and promote oral findings

Sklerostin ve TWEAK’in Periodontitis Teşhisindeki Rolü

Periodontitis multifaktöriyel etiyolojisi olan kronik inflamatuar bir hastalıktır. Hastalık biofilm içerisindeki patojenler tarafından başlatılmaktadır. Hastalık ilerledikten sonra görülen doku yıkımı konağa ait koruyucu ve yıkıcı mekanizmalar arasındaki dengesizlikten kaynaklanır. Periodontal hastalığın teşhisinde kullanılan geleneksel yöntemler, hastalık aktivitesi ve prognozuna ilişkin bilgi vermemektedir. Bu konuda son yıllarda sklerostin ve tümör nekroz faktörü benzeri zayıf apoptoz indükleyicisinin (TWEAK) inflamasyon ve kemik metabolizması üzerindeki etkileri incelenmeye başlanmıştır. Bu derlemenin amacı, sklerostin ve TWEAK’in periodontal hastalık patogenezindeki rolünün değerlendirilmesi ve sklerostin ve TWEAK’in periodontal hastalık teşhisi için yararlı birer biyobelirteç olup olmadığının incelenmesidir

Composite plastering technique (CPT) for anterior and posterior restorations

Composite plastering technique (CPT) is a novel restoration improvement technique for eliminating and re-contouring the marginal defects. Restoration-related interproximal contour deficiencies such as dark triangles beneath the contact point following direct class II restorations, the gaps at the interproximal cavity step following indirect cementations, and the gaps at the interproximal wall following class III restoration layering procedures can be corrected using the CPT. The technique may also be used as a layering step during the free-hand layering in diastema closure restorations. Contour deficiencies on interproximal surfaces which lead to the renewal of restoration and periodontal damages can be prevented by additional direct composite build-up using the CPT. The technique can be performed either immediately after the restoration directly or long after by using the composite repair protocol. It focuses on filling and re-contouring the surface of the deficiency by using a mylar strip actively under rubberdam isolation. Composite is loaded between the strip and the tooth surface and the strip is pulled slightly in palato-buccal or the opposite direction depending on the location of the defect, to fill it by plastering the composite. It may contribute the longevity of the restoration by improving the emergence profile and correcting the interproximal contour. Re-contouring of the interproximal surface defects by CPT is a useful approach to improve the esthetics as well as the function of anterior and posterior direct and indirect restorations which may also prolong the longevity

Double-application of platelet-rich plasma on bone healing in rabbits

Objective: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is considered to enhance bone formation especially at early stages of wound healing, depending on the limited and short life-span of platelets and growth factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of double-application of PRP (DA-PRP) on bone healing in a rabbit calvarial defect model. Study design: Twenty-eight rabbits, each had two surgically prepared calvarial bone defects (10mm diameter), were included in this study and randomly divided into six groups. Defects (n=56) were treated with single-application of PRP (SA-PRP)(n=10), SA-PRP and beta-tricalciumphosphate (SA-PRP+TCP)(n=10), DA-PRP (n=8), DA-PRP and beta-tricalciumphosphate (DA-PRP+TCP)(n=8), beta-tricalciumphosphate (TCP)(n=10) or left empty (Control)(n=10). Animals were sacrificed at 30 days postoperatively. Results: The new bone (NB%) and defect fill (DF%) percentages were calculated from histological slides by image-analyzer software and statistically analysed. All test groups showed higher NB% than control, but differences among all groups were insignificant. The TCP treated groups had significantly higher DF% than groups treated without TCP, however the DF% differences between control, SA-PRP and DA-PRP or TCP, SA-PRP+TCP or DA-PRP+TCP were insignificant. Conclusion: Although new bone formation was histomorphologically remarkable at double-application PRP groups, statistical analyses of the histomorphometric data revealed no significant difference. © Medicina Oral S. L

Hematological Parameters and Inflammatory Markers in Children with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

Abstract Objective: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), is a newly recognised life-threatening complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early determination of clinical severity of the disease is important for early decision of treatment regimens. The aim of this study is to investigate the severity classification value of a number of hematological parameters, inflammatory markers and biochemical tests in patients with MIS-C during the acute stage and after anti-inflammatory treatment. Material and Methods: In this retrospective case-controlled study, 64 children with MIS-C and 95 healthy age and gender matched children were included. Patients were divided into three clinical severity groups; mild, moderate, and severe. Results: Mean platelet volume (MPV), MPV to lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR), D-dimer, ferritin, interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were significantly higher, while albumin levels were lower in the severe MIS-C group compared to all the other groups on admission. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived (d) NLR (d-NLR) levels were significantly higher in the moderate group compared to the mild group. In the pre-treatment period of MIS-C patients had higher MPV, platelet distribution width (PDW) values while they had lower white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), plateletcrit and platelet values compared to the post-treatment group. Lymphocyte, platelets, and haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the control group compared to the pre-treatment group. Acute phase reactants, NLR, NMR, PLR, d-NLR, MPVLR and systemic inflammatory index were significantly higher in all MIS-C patients on admission compared to the control group. Conclusion: Specific routine laboratory test results may be useful in determining disease severity of MIS-C, possibly predict the prognosis and allow early initiation of the appropriate treatment

First results from post-COVID inpatient rehabilitation

BackgroundCOVID-19 is associated with various symptoms and psychological involvement in the long term. In view of the multifactorial triggering and maintenance of the post-COVID syndrome, a multimodal therapy with somatomedical and psychotherapeutic content is expedient. This paper compares the psychological stress of post-COVID patients and their course in rehabilitation to psychosomatic and psychocardiological patients.MethodObservational study with control-groups and clinical, standardized examination: psychological testing (BDI-II, HELATH-49), 6-MWT as somatic parameter, two measurement points (admission, discharge). Sample characteristics, including work related parameters, the general symptom-load and the course of symptoms during rehabilitation are evaluated.ResultsAt admission in all measures post-COVID patients were significantly affected, but less pronounced than psychosomatic or psychocardiological patients (BDI-II post-COVID = 19.29 ± 9.03, BDI-II psychosomatic = 28.93 ± 12.66, BDI-II psychocardiology = 24.47 ± 10.02). During rehabilitation, in all complaint domains and sub-groups, symptom severity was significantly reduced (effect sizes ranging from d = .34 to d = 1.22). Medium positive effects were seen on self-efficacy (d = .69) and large effects on activity and participation (d = 1.06) in post-COVID patients. In the 6-MWT, the walking distance improved by an average of 76.43 ± 63.58 meters (d = 1.22). Not a single patient deteriorated in walking distance, which would have been a possible sign of post exercise malaise (PEM).ConclusionPost-COVID patients have a slighter psychological burden as psychocardiological or psychosomatic patients. Although rehabilitation is not curative, post-COVID patients benefit significantly from the interventions and there were no signs of PEM

Interactions of Adiponectin and Lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis on Human Oral Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, and characterized by the destruction of the periodontium. Obese individuals have an increased risk for periodontitis and show decreased serum levels of adiponectin. This in-vitro study was established to examine whether adiponectin modulates critical effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from P. gingivalis on oral epithelial cells (OECs). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The presence of adiponectin and its receptors in human gingival tissue samples and OECs was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Furthermore, OECs were treated with LPS and/or adiponectin for up to 72 h, and the gene expression and protein synthesis of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and growth factors were analyzed by real-time PCR and ELISA. Additionally, cell proliferation, differentiation and in-vitro wound healing were studied. The nuclear translocation of NFκB was investigated by immunofluorescence. Gingival tissue sections showed a strong synthesis of adiponectin and its receptors in the epithelial layer. In cell cultures, LPS induced a significant up-regulation of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL6, IL8, MMP1 and MMP3. Adiponectin abrogated significantly the stimulatory effects of LPS on these molecules. Similarly, adiponectin inhibited significantly the LPS-induced decrease in cell viability and increase in cell proliferation and differentiation. Adiponectin led to a time-dependent induction of the anti-inflammatory mediators IL10 and heme oxygenase 1, and blocked the LPS-stimulated NFκB nuclear translocation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Adiponectin may counteract critical actions of P. gingivalis on oral epithelial cells. Low levels of adiponectin, as observed in obese individuals, may increase the risk for periodontal inflammation and destruction

Addressing climate change with behavioral science:A global intervention tournament in 63 countries

Effectively reducing climate change requires marked, global behavior change. However, it is unclear which strategies are most likely to motivate people to change their climate beliefs and behaviors. Here, we tested 11 expert-crowdsourced interventions on four climate mitigation outcomes: beliefs, policy support, information sharing intention, and an effortful tree-planting behavioral task. Across 59,440 participants from 63 countries, the interventions' effectiveness was small, largely limited to nonclimate skeptics, and differed across outcomes: Beliefs were strengthened mostly by decreasing psychological distance (by 2.3%), policy support by writing a letter to a future-generation member (2.6%), information sharing by negative emotion induction (12.1%), and no intervention increased the more effortful behavior-several interventions even reduced tree planting. Last, the effects of each intervention differed depending on people's initial climate beliefs. These findings suggest that the impact of behavioral climate interventions varies across audiences and target behaviors.</p

Addressing climate change with behavioral science: A global intervention tournament in 63 countries

Effectively reducing climate change requires marked, global behavior change. However, it is unclear which strategies are most likely to motivate people to change their climate beliefs and behaviors. Here, we tested 11 expert-crowdsourced interventions on four climate mitigation outcomes: beliefs, policy support, information sharing intention, and an effortful tree-planting behavioral task. Across 59,440 participants from 63 countries, the interventions' effectiveness was small, largely limited to nonclimate skeptics, and differed across outcomes: Beliefs were strengthened mostly by decreasing psychological distance (by 2.3%), policy support by writing a letter to a future-generation member (2.6%), information sharing by negative emotion induction (12.1%), and no intervention increased the more effortful behavior-several interventions even reduced tree planting. Last, the effects of each intervention differed depending on people's initial climate beliefs. These findings suggest that the impact of behavioral climate interventions varies across audiences and target behaviors

Addressing climate change with behavioral science:A global intervention tournament in 63 countries

Effectively reducing climate change requires marked, global behavior change. However, it is unclear which strategies are most likely to motivate people to change their climate beliefs and behaviors. Here, we tested 11 expert-crowdsourced interventions on four climate mitigation outcomes: beliefs, policy support, information sharing intention, and an effortful tree-planting behavioral task. Across 59,440 participants from 63 countries, the interventions' effectiveness was small, largely limited to nonclimate skeptics, and differed across outcomes: Beliefs were strengthened mostly by decreasing psychological distance (by 2.3%), policy support by writing a letter to a future-generation member (2.6%), information sharing by negative emotion induction (12.1%), and no intervention increased the more effortful behavior-several interventions even reduced tree planting. Last, the effects of each intervention differed depending on people's initial climate beliefs. These findings suggest that the impact of behavioral climate interventions varies across audiences and target behaviors.</p