Effects of denture cleaning solutions on the retention of Hader bar clips

Statement of problemThe clinical performance of implant-retained overdentures (IODs) with plastic bar clips made of different materials in the same design and dimensions may vary according to the patient’s daily home care procedures. However, information about the effects of denture cleaning solutions on the retention of Hader bar clips is lacking.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the retention of Hader bar clips made of different polymers after being soaked in denture cleaning solutions.Material and methodsNinety Hader bar clips made of polyamide (PA, n=30), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, n=30), and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK, n=30) materials were tested. Two multiunit abutments were screwed onto the implant analogs and embedded into an acrylic resin block in a standardized position. The digital scanning of the abutments was acquired, and the bar patrix of each material system milled from a cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy disk by using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM). After the milled bar patrices were screwed onto abutments and the metal housings of the bar clips were embedded into acrylic resin blocks, they were connected passively at the same angulation to a universal testing machine. The initial retention values of all Hader bar clips were measured, and each material system was divided into 3 subgroups (n=10) before soaking in the cleaning solutions: distilled water (DW), 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), or sodium bicarbonate-sodium perborate (SBSP). Each material was soaked for the equivalent of 3 months of clinical use. The final retention values of each Hader bar clip were measured. The data were statistically analyzed by using a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test, and the paired sample t test (α=.05).ResultsThe 2-way ANOVA showed that the denture cleaning solution, the clip material, and their interactions led to significantly different retention values (P<.001). A decrease was observed for the retention values of all test groups after soaking in the cleaning solutions (P<.05). No retention was observed for the PTFE clips after soaking in the 5% NaOCI solution.ConclusionsThe denture cleaning solutions negatively affected the retention of Hader bar clips, regardless of the type of solution and clip material. The 5% NaOCI solution not only decreased the retention of PTFE clips but also completely degraded it. It is recommended that 5% NaOCI solution be avoided for the daily care of IODs with PTFE clips.     

Denture scanning technique for computer-guided implant-supported restoration treatment of edentulous patients

The traditional protocol for guided surgery in a completely edentulous patient is time-consuming, requiring the fabrication of a radiographic guide and a dual cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. Using intraoral scanners to scan the edentulous ridge and the existing denture has been advocated to simplify the process. This technique offers a versatile, precise, and predictable method for the digital planning workflow in edentulous patients for either a fixed or removable restoration. In addition, this approach can help improve the quality of the guide produced by reducing CBCT artifacts associated with the existing denture, as well as capture the soft-tissue contour to further improve the fit of the surgical guide.     

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Type 43 (SPG43) is Caused by Mutation in C19orf12

We report here the genetic basis for a form of progressive hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG43) previously described in two Malian sisters. Exome sequencing revealed a homozygous missense variant (c.187G>C; p.Ala63Pro) in C19orf12, a gene recently implicated in neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). The same mutation was subsequently also found in a Brazilian family with features of NBIA, and we identified another NBIA patient with a three‐nucleotide deletion (c.197_199del; p.Gly66del). Haplotype analysis revealed that the p.Ala63Pro mutations have a common origin, but MRI scans showed no brain iron deposition in the Malian SPG43 subjects. Heterologous expression of these SPG43 and NBIA variants resulted in similar alterations in the subcellular distribution of C19orf12. The SPG43 and NBIA variants reported here as well as the most common C19orf12 missense mutation reported in NBIA patients are found within a highly conserved, extended hydrophobic domain in C19orf12, underscoring the functional importance of this domain.     

Facile Synthesis of Well‐Defined Telechelic Alkyne‐Terminated Polystyrene in Polar Media Using ATRP With Mixed Fe/Cu Transition Metal Catalyst

The synthesis of polystyrene (PS) by atom transfer radical polymerization using the Fe(0)/CuBr₂ catalytic system in dimethylformamide is reported. The effects of temperature, ligand, initiator structure, and monomer to solvent ratio on the polymerization kinetics are evaluated. PS with high molecular weight, low polydispersity, and telechelic structure are achieved and successfully used for further reinitiation or the copper(I)‐catalyzed Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition click reaction between alkyne‐ and azide‐terminated PS. For the first time, suitable styrene polymerization rates are achieved using this cost‐effective and environmentally attractive catalytic system. This method can be very useful in macromolecular engineering to afford PS‐based materials with well‐controlled structure.     

Decontamination Techniques of Pathogen Bacteria in Meat and Poultry

Means of controlling or even improving the safety of food products is to decontaminate the carcasses or products during or at the end of the production line. The decontamination of meat and poultry can help to reduce human foodborne infections. However, process hygiene to prevent contamination should never be neglected. Some techniques of decontaminating raw meat and poultry meat products are discussed in this review.     

Clinical performance of short versus standard dental implants in vertically augmented bone: an overview of systematic reviews

Objective

To answer the question: What do we know so far about the clinical performance of short implants (≤ 7 mm) when compared to standard length implants in vertically augmented bone, as well as which is the overall confidence of the systematic reviews (SRs) about this topic?

Materials and methods

An overview of SRs was conducted. The searches were performed in six electronic databases and grey literature. SRs about short (≤ 7 mm) versus standard dental implants performance in vertically augmented bone were included. The assessed outcomes were marginal bone loss (MBL), implant survival (IS), prosthetic (PC) and biological complications (BC), costs, surgical time, and patient satisfaction. AMSTAR 2 was used to evaluate the overall confidence of included SRs.

Results

Thirteen SRs were included. Nine of twelve SRs reported a lower MBL for the short implant group. All the included SRs showed no difference in the IS between groups. A higher rate of BC was reported for standard-length implants in four out of five SRs. No differences regarding PC were reported in four of five SRs. Information related to patient preference, cost, and surgery time were underreported. The confidence evaluation of the SRs was stratified as low for five SRs and critically low for eight SRs.

Conclusions

In an overall low-to-very low confidence levels, short implants appear to perform better in the mid-term (up to 5 years) than standard dental implants associated with vertical bone augmentation regarding MBL and BC, but they have a similar performance regarding IS rates and PC. There is an imperative need to improve the methodological quality of SRs, and efforts should focus on conducting RCTs to broaden the knowledge on this topic.

Clinical relevance

Short implants could represent a viable, simpler, and less invasive treatment when available bone height is limited.

     

Strengthening effect of different fiber placement designs on root canal treated and bleached premolars

Odontology - To evaluate the strengthening effect of five different fibers with different placement designs in root canal treated and intracoronally bleached premolars. Seventy extracted...     

Development of a Smoking Abstinence Self-efficacy Questionnaire

Background

Self-efficacy beliefs are an important determinant of (changes in) health behaviors. In the area of smoking cessation, there is a need for a short, feasible, and validated questionnaire measuring self-efficacy beliefs regarding smoking cessation.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychometric properties of a six-item questionnaire to assess smoking cessation self-efficacy.

Methods

We used longitudinal data from a smoking cessation study. A total of 513 smokers completed the Smoking Abstinence Self-efficacy Questionnaire (SASEQ) and questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms and motivation to quit smoking. After that, they set a quit date and attempted to stop smoking. One year after the quit date, smoking status of participants was assessed by self report. The psychometric properties of the SASEQ were studied and we investigated whether SASEQ scores predicted successful smoking cessation.

Results

Factor analysis yielded one factor, with an Eigenvalue of 3.83, explaining 64% of variance. All factor loadings were ≥0.73. We found a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89 for the SASEQ, low correlations for the SASEQ with depressive symptoms, and motivation to quit, indicating that self-efficacy is measured independently of these concepts. Furthermore, high baseline SASEQ scores significantly predicted smoking abstinence at 52 weeks after the quit date (OR?=?1.85; 95% CI?=?1.20~2.84).

Conclusions

The SASEQ appeared to be a short, reliable, and valid questionnaire to assess self-efficacy beliefs regarding smoking abstinence. In the present study, this instrument also had good predictive validity. The short SASEQ can easily be used in busy clinical practice to guide smoking cessation interventions.     

Prevention of nonsteroidal inflammatory drug-induced urticaria and/or angioedema

BackgroundUrticaria and/or angioedema (U/AE) are the most frequent and less severe forms of nonallergic hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Management of NSAID-induced U/AE includes (1) the avoidance of the culprit drug and of cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 inhibitors, (2) the use of weak COX-2 inhibitors, and/or (3) desensitization to aspirin. Because these possibilities may have drawbacks, we tested the possibility of preventing NSAID-induced U/AE by the administration of antihistamines and/or a combination of antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists.ObjectiveTo test the preventive effect of antihistamines and/or leukotriene antagonists on the development of U/AE in patients with a history of NSAID hypersensitivity confirmed by a positive challenge result.MethodsA single, placebo-controlled, oral challenge using the culprit NSAID was applied to 65 patients with a history of NSAID-induced U/AE. In the case of recurrence of the symptoms, another oral challenge was performed under premedication with antihistamines alone or combined antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists.ResultsA total of 59 of 65 patients (90%) tolerated a normal dose of NSAID, confirming previous data on the poor reproducibility of nonallergic hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs on challenge. Of the 6 patients who experienced recurrence of the U/AE on NSAID challenge, antihistamines and combined antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists prevented the hypersensitivity reactions in 2 and 3 of them, respectively. Only 1 patient still developed a moderate NSAID-induced urticaria despite the double premedication.ConclusionTreatment with NSAIDs at normal doses is possible and well tolerated in patients who have experienced NSAID-induced U/AE, which could be prevented by the concomitant use of antihistamines and leukotriene antagonists.     

Improved malignancy prediction by B3 breast lesions subclassification

Core-needle biopsy (CNB) of breast lesions can be classified into 5 categories according to lesion type and associated risk of malignancy. B3 category (lesion of uncertain malignant potential) constitutes a challenging problem in clinical decision, with most ending in excisional biopsy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the incidence of malignancy on excision biopsy of B3 lesions and assess if subclassification (in B3a and B3b categories) according to the presence of atypia in otherwise B3 lesions better predicts malignancy on excision. Forty-eight cases with diagnosis of B3 lesion on CNB and matched surgical excision specimen were included to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) and odds for malignancy in CNB. All cases were further subclassified into B3a and B3b categories. B3 category lesions had an overall PPV for malignancy of 12.5% and significant low odds of malignancy of 0.14. When subclassified, B3b (lesions with atypia) demonstrated a higher PPV for malignancy (36.36%) with a nonsignificant odds. Inversely, B3a (lesions without atypia) demonstrated a PPV for malignancy of only 5.41% and a significant low odds of malignancy of only 0.06. The described low rate of malignancy in some of B3 lesions additionally reinforces the practice of avoiding surgical excision in selected patients and provides data that additionally support B3 lesion subclassification according to the presence of atypia. Subclassification of B3 category can further refine the current classification of associated risk of malignancy with possible implications in clinical management.