How to Obtain an Orthodontic Virtual Patient through Superimposition of Three-Dimensional Data: A Systematic Review

Background: This systematic review summarizes the current knowledge on the superimposition of three-dimensional (3D) diagnostic records to realize an orthodontic virtual patient. The aim of this study is to analyze the accuracy of the state-of-the-art digital workflow. Methods: The research was carried out by an electronic and manual query eectuated from ISS (Istituto Superiore di Sanit\ue0 in Rome) on three dierent databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and ISI WEB OF SCIENCE) up to 31st January 2020. The search focused on studies that superimposed at least two dierent 3D records to build up a 3D virtual patient\u2014information about the devices used to acquire 3D data, the software used to match data and the superimposition method applied have been summarized. Results: 1374 titles were retrieved from the electronic search. After title-abstract screening, 65 studies were selected. After full-text analysis, 21 studies were included in the review. Dierent 3D datasets were used: facial skeleton (FS), extraoral soft tissues (ST) and dentition (DENT). The information provided by the 3D data was superimposed in four dierent combinations: FS + DENT (13 papers), FS + ST (5 papers), ST + DENT (2 papers) and all the types (FS + ST + DENT) (1 paper). Conclusions: The surface-based method was most frequently used for 3D objects superimposition (11 papers), followed by the point-based method (6 papers), with or without fiducial markers, and the voxel-based method (1 paper). Most of the papers analyzed the accuracy of the superimposition procedure (15 papers), while the remaining were proof-of-principles (10 papers) or compared dierent methods (3 papers). Further studies should focus on the definition of a gold standard. The patient is going to have a huge advantage from complete digital planning when more information about the spatial relationship of anatomical structures are needed: ectopic, impacted and supernumerary teeth, root resorption and angulations, cleft lip and palate (CL/P), alveolar boundary conditions, periodontally compromised patients, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), maxillary transverse deficiency, airway analyses, obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS), TMJ disorders and orthognathic and cranio-facial surgery

How to Obtain an Orthodontic Virtual Patient through Superimposition of Three-Dimensional Data: A Systematic Review

Background: This systematic review summarizes the current knowledge on the superimposition of three-dimensional (3D) diagnostic records to realize an orthodontic virtual patient. The aim of this study is to analyze the accuracy of the state-of-the-art digital workflow. Methods: The research was carried out by an electronic and manual query effectuated from ISS (Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome) on three different databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and ISI WEB OF SCIENCE) up to 31st January 2020. The search focused on studies that superimposed at least two different 3D records to build up a 3D virtual patient—information about the devices used to acquire 3D data, the software used to match data and the superimposition method applied have been summarized. Results: 1374 titles were retrieved from the electronic search. After title-abstract screening, 65 studies were selected. After full-text analysis, 21 studies were included in the review. Different 3D datasets were used: facial skeleton (FS), extraoral soft tissues (ST) and dentition (DENT). The information provided by the 3D data was superimposed in four different combinations: FS + DENT (13 papers), FS + ST (5 papers), ST + DENT (2 papers) and all the types (FS + ST + DENT) (1 paper). Conclusions: The surface-based method was most frequently used for 3D objects superimposition (11 papers), followed by the point-based method (6 papers), with or without fiducial markers, and the voxel-based method (1 paper). Most of the papers analyzed the accuracy of the superimposition procedure (15 papers), while the remaining were proof-of-principles (10 papers) or compared different methods (3 papers). Further studies should focus on the definition of a gold standard. The patient is going to have a huge advantage from complete digital planning when more information about the spatial relationship of anatomical structures are needed: ectopic, impacted and supernumerary teeth, root resorption and angulations, cleft lip and palate (CL/P), alveolar boundary conditions, periodontally compromised patients, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), maxillary transverse deficiency, airway analyses, obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS), TMJ disorders and orthognathic and cranio-facial surgery

Use of coarse substrate to increase the rate of water infiltration and the bearing capacity in tree plantings

This work assesses the suitability of recycled crushed bricks and compost, used as a mixed growing substrate, in urban roadside plantings of Tilia cordata Mill. Coarse recycled materials can prevent compaction, improving air and water flows in the rhizosphere, and thus reducing tree mortality or poor growth. In addition, compost is a source of organic matter, contributing to enhance soil quality. Six substrates were tested: 1) soil; 2) crushed bricks 0–30 mm; 3) crushed bricks 6–30 mm; 4) soil + compost (15% v/v); 5) crushed bricks 0–30 mm + compost; and 6) crushed bricks 6–30 mm + compost. Trees were planted in 0.6 × 0.6 × 0.6 m pits, filled with the six different substrates. The water infiltration rate (Kf) and load bearing capacity (Evd) of the substrate were monitored along with the shoot length, and chlorophyll content of the trees. At the end of the trial, the root biomass and total root length were measured. Crushed bricks positively affected Kf, and Evd; the presence of compost decreased the value of bearing capacity. 0–30 crushed brick substrates (with or without compost) increased the linden shoot length and enabled to develop higher root biomass, compared to the soil (+72%) and 6–30 (+37%). The best trade-off between resistance, compaction and plant growth was 0–30 mm crushed bricks. This research provides evidence that a coarse matrix substrate made of crushed bricks is efficient in preventing compaction and allows plant growth

Clinical Evidence in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea with Oral Appliances: A Systematic Review

Background. Recent clinical guidelines have extended indications for oral appliances to subjects affected by moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). The aim of this systematic review covering this important issue for public health is twofold: updating and summarizing the best available scientific evidence by selecting RCTs of quality only, and identifying the therapeutic pathways that can be transferred to the current clinical practice. Methods. All the abstracts which were published before February 18, 2019, have been identified in three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane). The Cochrane Collaboration\u2019s tool for assessing risk of bias was used as an assessment tool in order to evaluate the quality of the selected studies. Results. The search strategy yielded 2,260 studies. After removing duplicates and studies that did not comply with the inclusion criteria, 32 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 17 RCTs were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. The 17 selected studies were very heterogeneous in the type of included RCTs in terms of patient inclusion criteria, sample size, distribution of the two genders in the various groups, duration of treatment, and definition of primary and secondary outcomes, without any restriction on the definition of the control group. A common finding was the positive responsiveness of oral appliance treatment in subjects affected by mild-to-moderate OSA with some evidence for cases of severe OSA. Conclusion. Higher-quality studies are needed in order to provide additional useful guidelines for dental clinicians for OSA management

Synthesis of densely functionalized enantiopure indolizidines by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of hydroxylamines from carbohydrate-derived nitrones

Background<p>Indolizidine alkaloids widely occur in nature and display interesting biological activity. This is the reason for which their total synthesis as well as the synthesis of non-natural analogues still attracts the attention of many research groups. To establish new straightforward accesses to these molecules is therefore highly desirable.</p><p>Results</p><p>The ring closing metathesis (RCM) of enantiopure hydroxylamines bearing suitable unsaturated groups cleanly afforded piperidine derivatives in good yields. Further cyclization and deprotection of the hydroxy groups gave novel highly functionalized indolizidines. The synthesis of a pyrroloazepine analogue is also described.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>We have developed a new straightforward methodology for the synthesis of densely functionalized indolizidines and pyrroloazepine analogues in 6 steps and 30–60% overall yields from enantiopure hydroxylamines obtained straightforwardly from carbohydrate-derived nitrones.</p

Hybrid Multivalent Jack Bean α-Mannosidase Inhibitors: The First Example of Gold Nanoparticles Decorated with Deoxynojirimycin Inhitopes

Among carbohydrate-processing enzymes, Jack bean α-mannosidase (JBα-man) is the glycosidase with the best responsiveness to the multivalent presentation of iminosugar inhitopes. We report, in this work, the preparation of water dispersible gold nanoparticles simultaneously coated with the iminosugar deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) inhitope and simple monosaccharides (β-d-gluco- or α-d-mannosides). The display of DNJ at the gold surface has been modulated (i) by using an amphiphilic linker longer than the aliphatic chain used for the monosaccharides and (ii) by presenting the inhitope, not only in monomeric form, but also in a trimeric fashion through combination of a dendron approach with glyconanotechnology. The latter strategy resulted in a strong enhancement of the inhibitory activity towards JBα-man, with a Ki in the nanomolar range (Ki = 84 nM), i.e., more than three orders of magnitude higher than the monovalent reference compound