Humoral and cellular response after BNT162b2 vaccine booster in hemodialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Vulnerable populations, such as hemodialysis (HD) patients and kidney transplant (RTx) recipients, have priority for anti-COVID-19 vaccination, because of their impaired immune status. Here, we investigated the immune response after vaccination with BNT162b2 (two doses plus booster) in HD and RTx patients.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was started in two homogeneous groups of 55 HD and 51 RTx patients previously matched from a cohort of 336 patients.

Long-term renal and cardiovascular outcome of living kidney donors: A single-center retrospective observation study.

Background: The nephrectomy for donation reduces the renal parenchyma and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It is important to understand the clinical consequences of kidney donation by a living donor.

Methods: In this single-center, observational, retrospective study, we defined the renal and cardiovascular outcomes of living kidney donors.

Is the Er:YAG laser affect the surface characteristics and bond strength of Y-TZP?

This study evaluated the surface characteristics and bond strength of Y-TZP treated with Er:YAG laser at different focal distances. 120 Y-TZP blocks were divided into five groups (n=24), according to the surface treatment: no treatment (C-); sandblasting with silica-coated aluminum oxide particles (C+); and Er:YAG laser application at focal distances of 1mm (Er:YAG-1), 4mm (Er:YAG-4), and 7mm (Er:YAG-7). Surface characteristics were analyzed using Vickers microhardness, confocal laser microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD).

Management of patients with a failed kidney transplant: what should we do?

The number of kidney transplant recipients returning to dialysis after graft failure is steadily increasing over time. Patients with a failed kidney transplant have been shown to have a significant increase in mortality compared with patients with a functioning graft or patients initiating dialysis for the first time. Moreover, the risk for infectious complications, cardiovascular disease and malignancy is greater than in the dialysis population due to the frequent maintenance of low-dose immunosuppression, which is required to reduce the risk of allosensitization, particularly in patients with the prospect of retransplantation from a living donor.

Brain functional connectivity in chronic tic disorders and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.

The pathophysiology of chronic tic disorder (cTD) and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is characterized by the dysfunction of both motor and non - motor cortico - striatal - thalamo - cortical (CSTC) circuitries, which leads to tic release and comorbids. A role of fronto - parietal network (FPN) connectivity breakdown has been postulated for tic pathogenesis, given that the FPN entertain connections with limbic, paralimbic, and CSTC networks. Our study was aimed at characterizing the FPN functional connectivity in cTD and GTS in order to assess the role of its deterioration in tic severity and the degree of comorbids.

Focused Updates: SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients With Heart Failure and/or Chronic Kidney Disease.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated cardiovascular (CV) benefits in large-scale clinical trials of people who have type 2 diabetes and either established CV disease or multiple CV risk factors. These studies also indicated early signals in benefiting heart failure (HF) patients and those with chronic kidney diseases. This article reviews recent and future clinical studies that focus on evaluation of the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF management and renal protection.

Managing Diabetes and Preventing Heart Disease: Have We Found a Safe and Effective Agent?

Objective: While improving glycemic control with antihyperglycemics has been demonstrated to reduce microvascular complications, the benefits of reduction in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have not been demonstrated with older agents. This article reviews current evidence of the CV outcomes of newer antihyperglycemics approved since 2008.

Data Sources: Peer-reviewed articles were identified from MEDLINE (1966 to October 31, 2018) using search terms exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, dulaglutide, semaglutide, alogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and stroke.

Chlorhexidine and proanthocyanidin enhance the long-term bond strength of resin-based endodontic sealer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of proanthocyanidin (PA) and chlorhexidine (CHX) on the bond strength (BS), failure pattern, and resin-dentin interface morphology of the endodontic sealers EndoREZ and AH Plus after 24 h and 6 months of water storage. A total of 120 prepared bovine roots were divided into six groups: AH Plus, CHX+AH Plus, PA+AH Plus, EndoREZ, CHX+EndoREZ, and PA+EndoREZ. Dentin was treated for 1 or 5 min with 2% CHX or 15% PA, respectively.

Non-contact profilometry of eroded and abraded enamel irradiated with an Er:YAG laser.

Literature has reported positive results regarding the use of lasers in the control of erosive lesions; however, evaluating whether they are effective in the control of the progression of erosive/abrasive lesions is important. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Er:YAG laser irradiation in controlling the progression of erosion associated with abrasive lesions in enamel. Material and methods Bovine incisors were sectioned, flattened and polished.

Vitamin D repletion versus placebo as adjunctive treatment of heart failure patient quality of life and hormonal indices: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Vitamin D status may influence heart failure (HF) patient outcomes by affecting b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and enhancing cardiac contractility. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with morbidity and mortality in HF patients. The objective of this study was to determine if vitamin D3 at a comparatively high dose would replete 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) stores, improve BNP, PTH, cardiopulmonary function, reduce inflammatory markers, and improve quality of life (QOL) in HF patients.

Effect of a 12-methacryloyloxy-dodecyl-pyridinium-bromide-containing adhesive with different post types on the long-term bond strength to dentin.

The use of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) inhibitors, such as 12-methacryloyloxy-dodecyl-pyridinium-bromide (MDPB), might improve the adhesion of glass-fiber (GF) and polyfiber (PF) posts to root dentine. This study assessed the effect of an MDPB-containing adhesive on the long-term bond strength of GF or PF posts to bovine dentine. Bovine endodontically treated roots were randomly divided into six groups, according to the post type and adhesive system used, as follows: GF serrated post + MDBP-free adhesive; GF serrated post + MDPB-containing adhesive; GF smooth post + MDBP-free adhesive; GF smooth post + MDPB-containing adhesive; PF post + MDBP-free adhesive; PF post + MDPB-containing adhesive.

Influence of laser irradiation on the push-out bond strength between a glass fiber post and root dentin.

Statement Of Problem: A major issue related to the failure of endodontically treated teeth restored with an intraradicular post is gradual debonding of the glass fiber post, resin cement, and dentin.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of laser irradiation on the push-out bond strength of glass fiber posts to radicular dentin.

Material And Methods: Thirty-two mandibular bovine incisors were endodontically treated and divided into 4 groups according to the surface treatment of the post: silane control (GC); irradiation with Er:YAG (GYAG); irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG (GCR); and 980-nm diode laser (GDI) application.

Effect of Er:Yag laser on dentin demineralization around restorations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cavity preparation with Er:YAG laser on dentin adjacent to restorations submitted to cariogenic challenge in situ, by subsuperficial microhardness analysis. Bovine incisors were sectioned, flattened, and polished, resulting in 40 dentin slabs. The slabs were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10), according to the cavity preparation method: I-high-speed handpiece (control); II-Er:YAG laser (160 mJ; 3 Hz); III-Er:YAG laser (260 mJ; 3 Hz); IV-Er:YAG laser (300 mJ; 3Hz).

Fracture Strength of Weakened Anterior Teeth Associated to Different Reconstructive Techniques.

This study evaluated the fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth submitted to reconstructive techniques through dynamic and static tests. Forty human anterior teeth were divided into 4 groups (n=10): GNW (non-weakened) - root restored with glass fiber post (GFP), GW - weakened root restored with GFP, GDA - weakened root restored with direct anatomic GFP, and GIA - weakened root restored with indirect anatomic GFP. The teeth were endodontically treated considering that experimental groups (GW, GDA and GIA) simulated weakened roots for restoration with GFP using different techniques.

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Posts Subjected to Laser Surface Treatments.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laser irradiation on flexural strength, elastic modulus, and surface roughness and morphology of glass fiber posts (GFPs).

Background Data: Laser treatment of GFPs has been introduced to improve its adhesion properties.

Materials And Methods: A total of 40 GFPs were divided into 4 groups according to the irradiation protocol: GC-no irradiation, GYAG-irradiation with erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet [Er:YAG], GCR-irradiation with erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG), and GDI-irradiation with diode laser.

Bonding Effectiveness of Universal Adhesive to Intracoronal Bleached Dentin Treated with Sodium Ascorbate.

This study evaluated the effect of restorative protocol with sodium ascorbate on the shear bond strength (SBS) of a universal adhesive to intracoronal bleached dentin. One hundred-and-twenty bovine dentin fragments were randomly divided into 12 groups (n=10), according to the bleaching procedure (unbleached and bleached) and restorative protocol (no treatment, 10% sodium ascorbate -10SA, 35% sodium ascorbate -35SA and two-step etch-and-rinse -ER or one-step self-etch -SE Scotchbond universal adhesive approaches). Four whitening sessions were performed using 35% hydrogen peroxide.

Effect of Fluoride Varnish Combined with Er:YAG Laser on the Permeability of Eroded Dentin: An In Situ Study.

This study evaluated the combined effect of fluoride varnish and Er:YAG laser on the permeability of eroded bovine root dentin. After initial erosive challenge followed by a remineralization period, the specimens were divided in two groups according to the treatment - fluoride varnish and non-fluoride varnish - and were subdivided according to the irradiation protocol: Er:YAG laser (100 mJ, 3 Hz, 12.8 J/cm2per pulse, non-contact and defocus mode) and non-irradiated.