Patient‐centric outcome assessment of endodontic microsurgery using periapical radiography versus Cone Beam Computed Tomography ‐ A randomized clinical trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Patient‐centric outcome assessment of endodontic microsurgery using periapical radiography versus Cone Beam Computed Tomography ‐ A randomized clinical trial via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Aim This study aimed to evaluate whether utilizing additional CBCT imaging has any effect on quality of life and healing outcome following periapical surgery compared to PR. Methodology The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04333940). In this parallel group randomized controlled trial, fifty-two patients (88 teeth) with persistent apical periodontitis and periapical radiographic evidence of periapical lesion were randomly assigned to either PR or CBCT group. The primary predictor was the type of the imaging method (PR only or with additional CBCT). The primary outcome was patient's quality of life during the first week after periapical surgery and the secondary outcomes were duration of surgery and healing outcome at 12-month follow-up. Participants of both groups received periapical surgery based on the presurgical plan provided by the radiographic imaging methods. QoL was assessed using Modified Shugars questionnaire. Radiographic analysis for healing was conducted using Molven's criteria and modified P ENN 3D criteria. The categorical data between groups were analysed using the Chi-square test, while intragroup comparisons were analysed using the McNemar test. The average scores for each component of QoL (oral functions, general functions, pain, swelling and other symptoms), combined QoL scores (overall average of values of 13 variables) and analgesic usage on each day were calculated and analysed. Results At 12 months follow-up, fifty patients were evaluated. Participants in PR group reported significantly more swelling on first three days compared with CBCT group. The analgesic use was higher in the PR group on 2nd and 3rd day (Mann Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction; p < 0.007). A significant difference in the limitation of general functions was observed at the second day (p<0.07) with the higher values in the PR group. The combined QoL score between the two groups was found to be non-significant. However, none of the patients experienced intraoperative complications or neurovascular exposure. The mean surgical time was lesser in the CBCT group (p <0.05). Radiographic healing revealed a success rate of 96.2% for the PR group and 95.8% for the CBCT group with no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion Participants in the CBCT group experienced substantially less early postoperative swelling and limitation in general functions, in comparison with the PR group. However, preoperative CBCT had no effect on other QoL parameters and intraoperative complications in medium-risk patients. Furthermore, CBCT did not exhibit any added advantage over periapical radiography in terms of assessing healing outcome following endodontic microsurgery. CBCT offered surgically relevant anatomic information for presurgical planning and ensured the treatment rendition with a significantly reduced operative time. View on Web

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Isthmus morphology influences debridement efficacy of activated irrigation: a laboratory study involving biofilm mimicking hydrogel removal and high‐speed imaging

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Isthmus morphology influences debridement efficacy of activated irrigation: a laboratory study involving biofilm mimicking hydrogel removal and high‐speed imaging via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Aim Little is known about the influence of isthmus morphology on the debridement efficacy of activated irrigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of isthmus morphology on the debridement efficacy of laser-activated irrigation (LAI), EDDY and needle irrigation (NI), and to explain the methods of isthmus cleaning by LAI and EDDY. Methodology Four root canal models (apical diameter: 0.30 mm, taper: 0.06, curvature: 23°, length: 20 mm) were produced by CAD-CAM with different isthmus morphologies: long-wide (4 mm; 0.4 mm), long-narrow (4 mm; 0.15 mm), short-wide (2 mm; 0.4 mm) and short-narrow (2 mm; 0.15 mm). The isthmuses were filled with a hydrogel containing dentine debris. The canals were filled with irrigant and models were assigned to the following irrigation protocols (n=240): needle irrigation (NI) with a 30G needle, Eddy, and LAI (2940 nm Er:YAG-laser, 15 Hz, 40 mJ, SWEEPS, tip at the canal entrance). Standardized images of the isthmuses were taken before and after irrigation, and the amount of removed hydrogel was determined using image analysis software and compared across groups using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's multiple comparison. Visualization of the isthmus during activation was achieved using a high-speed camera. The pattern and speed of the flow in the isthmus as well as transient and stable cavitation were analysed using imaging software. Results LAI, EDDY and NI removed more hydrogel in short-wide isthmuses than in narrow isthmuses (P<0.001). LAI and EDDY removed more hydrogel than NI in every isthmus configuration (P<0.001). EDDY showed eddies and stable cavitation, and LAI showed transient cavitation at each pulse, and pulsed horizontal flow with the highest particle speed in closed short isthmuses. Conclusions Isthmus morphology influences debridement in all irrigation groups. Short-wide isthmuses were the easiest to clean while narrow isthmuses were the most challenging to clean. Width seems to be a more critical anatomical parameter than length. LAI and EDDY resulted in the greatest biofilm removal and performed better than NI. EDDY produced eddies and stable cavitation in the isthmus, and LAI showed transient cavitation and pulsed horizontal flow. View on Web

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Optimal Timing of the Salivary Pepsin Test for the Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Optimal Timing of the Salivary Pepsin Test for the Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux via The Laryngoscope Salivary pepsin testing combined waking, 1 h and 2 h after breakfast and lunch, and 1 h after dinner has almost the same diagnostic value as MTPSPT, and testing at these time points can be an effective method for diagnosing LPR. Objective To investigate the optimal time point for diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) through combining 24-h hypopharyngeal-esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (24-h HEMII-pH) monitoring and the multi-time point salivary pepsin test (MTPSPT). Study Design Prospective uncontrolled trial. Method Patients with and without LPR symptoms were included as the test group and the control group, respectively. The patients in the test group underwent 24-h HEMII-pH and MTPSPT. The results of 24-h HEMII-pH were used as a diagnostic criterion for LPR, and the diagnostic value of salivary pepsin tests performed at different time points was compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results A total of 153 patients were included. Based on 24-h HEMII-pH, the positive rate of LPR in the test group of patients was 84.00%. In the control group, only one person (3.57%) had a positive salivary pepsin test result. The area under the curve (AUC) of the MTPSPT was 0.827. In addition, we separately calculated the AUC of the combined salivary pepsin test at different time points, and found good diagnostic value (AUC = 0.799) when the test was combined with the waking, 1 and 2 h after breakfast and lunch, and 1 h after dinner tests. However, when the number of tests were further increased, the diagnostic value did not improve significantly. Conclusion Salivary pepsin testing combined with waking, 1 h and 2 h after breakfast and lunch, and 1 h after dinner has almost the same diagnostic value as MTPSPT, and testing at these time points can be an effective method for diagnosing LPR. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

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Clinical‐based oral rehabilitation programme improved the oral diadochokinesis and swallowing function of older patients with dementia: A randomized controlled trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Clinical‐based oral rehabilitation programme improved the oral diadochokinesis and swallowing function of older patients with dementia: A randomized controlled trial via Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a clinical-based oral function intervention on oral function and care behaviours in older patients with mild dementia. Method Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Both groups received a leaflet on oral health-related knowledge, and the EG also received an oral function intervention, which was a brief one-on-one lesson concerning oral exercise and preventive oral care. Oral exercise included turning the head, pouting lips, bulging cheeks, stretching tongue, articulation exercise, and salivary gland massages. A reminder phone call was made every 2 weeks. Perceived xerostomia and dysphagia, plaque index (PI), Winkel tongue-coating index (WTCI), repetitive saliva-swallowing test (RSST), oral diadochokinesis (DDK), and oral care behaviours were recorded at baseline and at 3-month follow up. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to analyze the indicated effects. Results The EG(n=59) exhibited greater improvement to the CG(n=55) in RSST [β= 0.7; effect size (ES) = 0.45], the syllables /pa/ (β = 3.1; ES = 0.37) and /ka/ (β = 2.7; ES = 0.40) in oral DDK, PI (β = −0.2; ES = 0.52), and WTCI (β = −0.8; ES = 0.38). Moreover, the EG exhibited better preventive behaviours in regular dental visits [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.2], daily mouth cleaning frequency (aOR = 1.6), and mouth cleaning before sleep (aOR = 1.3). Conclusion The brief clinical-based intervention was effective in improving the swallowing function, oral DDK, and plaque control of older patients with mild dementia at 3-month follow-up. View on Web

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Positive SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐qPCR of a nasal swab spot after 30 days of conservation on filter paper at room temperature

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Positive SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐qPCR of a nasal swab spot after 30 days of conservation on filter paper at room temperature via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract We tested the use of nasal swabs spotted onto filter paper (Whatman 3M, Germany) for the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Spots of a positive nasal swab in conservation medium (B.1.177 strain, 21Ct) were still positive (duo E-gene/IP4) after 10, 20, and 30 days of conservation at room temperature, with Ct values of 28, 27, and 26, respectively. Direct spotting of the swab at bedside (omicron strain) still gave a positive result after 10 days in two RT-qPCR systems: 33.7 Ct using duo E-gene/IP4, and 34.8 using a specific Omicron system. Spotting of a dilution range of media spiked with the Delta (strain 2021/FR/0610, lineage B 1.617.2) and Omicron strains (strain UVE/SARS-CoV-2/2021/FR/1514) showed a threshold of 0.04 TCID50 after 10 days of conservation. We show, for the first time, that this simple and low-cost conservation method can be used to store samples for RT-qPCR against SARS-CoV-2 for up to at least one month. This article is prot ected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Vaccine‐induced binding and neutralizing antibodies against Omicron 6 months after a homologous BNT162b2 booster

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Vaccine‐induced binding and neutralizing antibodies against Omicron 6 months after a homologous BNT162b2 booster via Journal of Medical Virology Abstract Introduction Evidence about the long-term persistence of the booster-mediated immunity against Omicron is mandatory for pandemic management and deployment of vaccination strategies. Methods A total of 155 healthcare professionals (104 COVID-19 naive and 51 with a history of SARS-COV-2 infection) received a homologous BNT162b2 booster. Binding antibodies against the spike protein and neutralizing antibodies against Omicron were measured at several time points before and up to 6 months after the booster. Geometric mean titers of measured antibodies were correlated to vaccine efficacy against symptomatic disease. Results Compared to the highest response, a significant 10.2 and 11.5-fold decrease in neutralizing titers was observed after 6 months in participants with and without history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A corresponding 2.5 and 2.9-fold decrease in binding antibodies was observed. The estimated T1/2 of neutralizing antibodies in pa rticipants with and without history of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 42 (95%CI, 25–137) and 36 days (95%CI, 25–65). Estimated T1/2 were longer for binding antibodies: 168 (95%CI, 116–303) and 139 days (95%CI, 113–180), respectively. Both binding and neutralizing antibodies were strongly correlated to vaccine efficacy (r = 0.83 and 0.89). However, binding and neutralizing antibodies were modestly correlated, and a high proportion of subjects (36.7%) with high binding antibody titers (i.e. > 8,434 BAU/mL) did not have neutralizing activity. Conclusion A considerable decay of the humoral response was observed 6 months after the booster, and was strongly correlated with vaccine efficacy. Our study also shows that commercial assays available in clinical laboratories might require adaptation to better predict neutralization in the Omicron era. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Perspectives from recent advances of Helicobacter pylori vaccines research

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Perspectives from recent advances of Helicobacter pylori vaccines research via Helicobacter Abstract Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the main factor leading to some gastric diseases. Currently, H. pylori infection is primarily treated with antibiotics. However, with the widespread application of antibiotics, H. pylori resistance to antibiotics has also gradually increased year by year. Vaccines may be an alternative solution to clear H. pylori. Aims By reviewing the recent progress on H. pylori vaccines, we expected it to lead to more research efforts to accelerate breakthroughs in this field. Materials & Methods We searched the research on H. pylori vaccine in recent years through PubMed®, and then classified and summarized these studies. Results The study of the pathogenic mechanism of H. pylori has led to the development of vaccines using some antigens, such as urease, catalase, and heat shock protein (Hsp). Based on these antigens, whole-cell, subunit, nucleic acid, vector, and H. pylori exosome vaccines have been tested. Discussion At present, researchers have developed many types of vaccines, such as whole cell vaccines, subunit vaccines, vector vaccines, etc. However, although some of these vaccines induced protective immunity in mouse models, only a few were able to move into human trials. We propose that mRNA vaccine may play an important role in preventing or treating H. pylori infection. The current study shows that we have developed various types of vaccines based on the virulence factors of H. pylori. However, only a few vaccines have entered human clinical trials. In order to improve the efficacy of vaccines, it is necessary to enhance T-cell immunity. Conclusion We should fully understand the pathogenic mechanism of H. pylori and find its core antigen as a vaccine target. View on Web

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