Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Efficacy in Arresting Cavitated Caries Lesions in Primary Molars: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in controlling caries progression in cavitated primary molars. A search for randomized and non-randomized trials with follow-up > 6 months was performed using PubMed, Scopus and Embase. The Cochrane risk of bias tools were used for the quality assessment.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Remote Consultations in Children: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Telemedicine is becoming a standard method of consultation, and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased its need. Telemedicine is suitable for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the pediatric population, as these are chronic conditions that affect many children worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze the bibliometric parameters of publications on the use of telemedicine for the most common NCDs in children before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of sleeve gastrectomy on renal function in patients with morbid obesity: a 1-year prospective cohort study.

Purpose: Obesity is an independent risk factor for renal injury. A more favorable metabolic environment following weight loss may theoretically lead to improved renal function. We aimed to evaluate the evolution of renal function one year after sleeve gastrectomy in a large prospective cohort of patients with morbid obesity and assess the influence of fat-free mass (FFM) changes.

Inequalities in caries among pre-school Italian children with different background.

Background: The study was aimed to describe caries prevalence and severity and health inequalities among Italian preschool children with European and non-European background and to explore the potential presence of a social gradient.

Methods: The ICDAS (International Caries Detection and Assessment System) was recorded at school on 6,825 children (52.8% females).

Long-term caries prevention of dental sealants and fluoride varnish in children with autism spectrum disorders: a retrospective cohort study.

The aim was to compare two strategies for caries prevention in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Participants were retrospectively retrieved and divided in two groups. Group one had first permanent molars treated with fluoride varnishes, FA group (n = 92, 9.

Nucleases as molecular targets for cancer diagnosis.

Early cancer diagnosis is a crucial element to improved treatment options and survival. Great research efforts have been made in the search for better performing cancer diagnostic biomarkers. However, the quest continues as novel biomarkers with high accuracy for an early diagnosis remain an unmet clinical need.

Activatable MRI probes for the specific detection of bacteria.

Activatable fluorescent probes have been successfully used as molecular tools for biomedical research in the last decades. Fluorescent probes allow the detection of molecular events, providing an extraordinary platform for protein and cellular research. Nevertheless, most of the fluorescent probes reported are susceptible to interferences from endogenous fluorescence (background signal) and limited tissue penetration is expected.

Is Pediatric Dentistry a Topic of Interest for Pediatric Journals? A Scoping Review.

Background: Pediatric dentistry shares many skills with pediatrics. This review evaluates the amount of literature on pediatric dentistry in the first 30 pediatric journals classified by the Web of Science in 2019. The aim was to perform a quantitative analysis of the main dental topics addressed.

IP6K2 predicts favorable clinical outcome of primary breast cancer.

The inositol hexakisphosphate kinase () 1 and 2 genes are localized at 3p21.31, a highly altered gene-dense chromosomal region in cancer. The IP6Ks convert IP6 to IP7, which inhibits activation of the tumor-promoting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Emergency Admissions in an Urgent Dental Care Service in North Italy.

A retrospective study was performed to verify if the number of admissions for urgent dental care in the Urgent Dental Care Service of San Paolo Hospital in Milan (Italy) was directly related to the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Different periods were analyzed: 25 March-5 April 2019 (pre-COVID); 23 March-3 April 2020 (lockdown); 8 June-19 June 2020 (reopening); and November 9-November 20 (second wave). Raw data regarding admissions, diagnoses, and treatments were extracted.

Is Visual Pedagogy Effective in Improving Cooperation Towards Oral Hygiene and Dental Care in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Visual pedagogy has emerged as a new approach in improving dental care in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This paper aimed to evaluate and assess the scientific evidence on the use of visual pedagogy in improving oral hygiene skills and cooperation during dental care in children with ASDs. The review protocol was registered on the PROSPERO Register (CRD42020183030).

Discovery and Proof-of-Concept Study of Nuclease Activity as a Novel Biomarker for Breast Cancer Tumors.

Breast cancer is one of the most common pathologies diagnosed in the clinical practice. Despite major advancements in diagnostic approaches, there is no widely accepted biomarker in the clinical practice that can diagnose breast malignancy. Confirmatory diagnosis still relies on the pathological assessment of tissue biopsies by expert pathologists.

Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication for the Treatment of Obesity: a Systematic Review.

Background: During the last decade, laparoscopic greater curvature plication (LGCP) has been used as a bariatric procedure for the treatment of obesity, regarded as less invasive and less expensive than other surgical bariatric procedures. We aimed to systematically review the literature and highlight recent clinical data regarding outcomes of LGCP in the treatment of obesity.

Methods: A comprehensive research of Pubmed database on LGCP was performed.

Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes.

Nucleases are a class of enzymes that break down nucleic acids by catalyzing the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bonds that link the ribose sugars. Nucleases display a variety of vital physiological roles in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, ranging from maintaining genome stability to providing protection against pathogens. Altered nuclease activity has been associated with several pathological conditions including bacterial infections and cancer.

Adaptation of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measurement depth in morbidly obese patients addressed for bariatric surgery.

Background And Aim: The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using FibroScan (Echosens, Paris, France) M or XL probe has been developed for liver steatosis assessment. However, CAP performs poorly in patients with high body mass index. The aim of our study was to assess whether CAP is overestimated using the standard XL probe in patients with morbid obesity, and in the case of an overestimation, to reprocess the data at a greater depth to obtain the appropriate CAP (CAPa).

Predictive score of sarcopenia occurrence one year after bariatric surgery in severely obese patients.

Background And Aim: Sarcopenic obesity is a risk factor of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to generate a predictive score of sarcopenia occurrence one year after bariatric surgery.

Patients And Methods: We conducted an observational prospective cohort study on a total of 184 severely obese patients admitted to our institution to undergo sleeve gastrectomy.

Tuberculosis treatment and Smoking, Armenia, 2014-2016.

Introduction: Tuberculosis and tobacco prove to be increasingly apparent world problems. Armenia is a developing country which is facing issues related to the high rates of tobacco consumption. Moreover, it is among the list of high multi-drug resistant (MDR) Tuberculosis TB burden countries.

Controlled attenuation parameter for diagnosing steatosis in bariatric surgery candidates with suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often benign, but may progress to fibrosis. The accurate diagnosis of hepatic steatosis is therefore important for clinical decision-making and prognostic assessments. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), a noninvasive measurement obtained with Fibro-Scan, has been developed for liver steatosis assessment.

Transient elastography alone and in combination with FibroTest for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease.

Background & Aims: The reliability of transient elastography (TE) to assess liver fibrosis is insufficiently validated in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We aimed to validate the diagnostic utility of TE for liver fibrosis in patients with excessive alcohol consumption and evaluate whether Fibrotest adds diagnostic value relative to or in combination with TE.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre prospective study on a total of 217 heavy drinkers with high serum aminotransferase levels.

Adaptation of liver stiffness measurement depth in bariatric surgery candidates with suspected nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aims: A thick layer of subcutaneous adipose tissue may lead to an overestimation of liver stiffness by transient elastography. The aim of this study was to assess whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was overestimated using an XL probe in patients with severe obesity and, if so, to reprocess the data to the adapted depth to obtain the appropriate LSM (LSMa).

Methods: A total of 152 obese patients prospectively underwent bariatric surgery and needle liver biopsy.

Discrepancies between Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Fluorescein Angiography in Detecting Uveitic Macular Edema.

Aim: To compare spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with fluorescein angiography (FA) in detecting macular edema in patients with uveitis and analyse discrepancies in the findings obtained by the two methods.

Methods: The study included 133 eyes from 117 patients with uveitis that had SD-OCT (RTVue-100/ Optovue) and FA (Topcon TRC 50DX) scans performed to detect or rule out macular edema.

Results: Macular edema was found in 57 (42.

A prospective observational study assessing home parenteral nutrition in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: benefits for quality of life.

Context: Patients with gastrointestinal cancer are at high risk for deterioration of nutrition. Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) could improve nutritional status and quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the impact of HPN on QoL, 2) to assess changes in nutritional status, and 3) to assess proxy perception of patient well-being.

The diagnostic accuracy of transient elastography for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in bariatric surgery candidates with suspected NAFLD.

Background: Severe obesity and metabolic syndrome have been implicated in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated the diagnostic value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), by transient elastography (FibroScan®) in bariatric surgery candidates with suspected NAFLD.

Methods: A total of 100 prospectively included consecutive severely obese subjects underwent bariatric surgery with liver needle biopsy.

[Home parenteral nutrition in elderly patients with cancer: an observational prospective study].

Malnutrition is a bad prognostic factor that reduces the quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer. The objective was to assess the impact of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) on the QoL of elderly malnourished patients with cancer. This French prospective observational study included patients, aged 70 years or older, with cancer, for whom HPN was prescribed for at least 14 days.

Comparison of Fibrotest and PGAA for the diagnosis of fibrosis stage in patients with alcoholic liver disease.

Background And Aims: The PGAA index was one of the first composite liver fibrosis markers. This study aims, prospectively, to confirm the diagnostic value of PGAA and Fibrotest in patients with alcoholic liver disease and to compare their diagnostic performances.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively included 200 consecutive patients (159 men and 41 women; mean age: 51±0.