Preliminary Characterization of a Novel Aerosol Jet-Printed Strain Sensor for Feasibility Assessment in a Variable Stiffness Arterial Simulator Application.

Wearable strain sensors are widespread in many fields, including the biomedical field where they are used for their stretchability and ability to be applied to non-regular surfaces. The study of the propagation speed of the pressure wave generated by the heartbeat within vessels, i.e.

Performance of the T-SPOT.TB test in patients with indeterminate QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus results: proposal for an algorithm for the diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is a state of persistent immune response to complex antigens without clinical, radiological and microbiological signs of active disease. Effective diagnosis and preventive treatment of LTBI are crucial for tuberculosis (TB) control, especially in high-risk groups. Currently, two main tests are used for LTBI diagnosis: the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and the Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA), including the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) and the T-SPOT.

Sarcopenia, low muscle strength, cognitive functions, and quality of life in parkinsonian syndromes.

Objectives: Parkinsonian syndromes are disabling neurodegenerative diseases resulting in reduced muscle function/performance and sarcopenia, but clinical manifestations could be systemic, including deterioration of cognitive function. As studies have reported an association between muscle dysfunction and cognitive decline yet no information on these syndromes is available, we investigated the relationship between sarcopenia, its components, and cognitive function, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Consecutive patients affected by parkinsonian syndromes were assessed for the presence of sarcopenia using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2 algorithm: low strength (handgrip strength: <27 kg [men]; <16 kg [women]) and low appendicular skeletal muscle index by impedance (<7.

Development of the National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project assessment.

Introduction: In the United States (US), the quality of care provided to children during emergencies is highly variable. Following implementation of the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP), inclusive of two national online assessments of Emergency Departments (EDs), national organizations involved in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems convened to launch the Prehospital Pediatric Readiness Project (PPRP). The PPRP seeks to ensure high-quality pediatric prehospital emergency care for all children.

Correction: Preda et al. The Efficacy of Powered Oscillating Heads vs. Powered Sonic Action Heads Toothbrushes to Maintain Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health: A Narrative Review. 2021, , 1468.

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Amino Acid-Enriched Formula for the Post-Operative Care of Extraction Sockets Evaluated by 3-D Intraoral Scanning.

Background: Hyaluronic acid and amino acids play an important role in the wound healing process, stimulating the development of the connective tissue and the activity and proliferation of fibroblasts. The aim of the present controlled clinical study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a topical gel formula containing hyaluronic acid and amino acids in terms of wound closure rate, painkiller intake, and patients' reported pain and edema.

Methods: This study included patients in need of a single tooth extraction.

Cervical Screening in North Sardinia (Italy): Genotype Distribution and Prevalence of HPV among Women with ASC-US Cytology.

The assessment of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype dynamics could support the adoption of more tailored preventive actions against cervical cancer. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of HPV infection, HPV genotype distribution, and the epidemiological characteristics of women with ASC-US cytology since the introduction of HPV-DNA testing in Sardinia (Italy), (March 2016-December 2020). Specimens were tested by RT-PCR for 14 high-risk HPV genotypes.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-based packaging solutions for extended shelf-life (ESL) milk.

The dairy market is one of the most important sectors worldwide, and milk packaging contributes to over one-third of the global dairy packaging demand. The end of life of the disposable packages is a critical stage of their life cycle, as demonstrated by the fact that disposable bottles are one of the litter items that are most found on beach shores. The aim of this paper is to analyse the performance of bioplastic bottles compared to other alternatives currently in use in the milk packaging sector, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.

The effectiveness of the information-motivation model and domestic brushing with a hypochlorite-based formula on peri-implant mucositis: A randomized clinical study.

Objective: Management of mucositis is essential for the long-term maintenance of dental implants. This study determined the efficacy, in terms of clinical parameters, of an adjunctive domiciliary agent paired with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) for patients with peri-implant mucositis.

Materials And Methods: Patients involved in a periodontal maintenance program were randomly distributed to the domestic use of a chlorhexidine toothpaste and mouthwash (control) or a hypochlorite-based formula brushing solution (test) after diagnosis of peri-implant mucositis.

The Effect of the Familiarity of a Survey Sender on Response Outcomes in a Large-Scale Survey of Emergency Medical Services Agencies.

Survey response is higher when the request comes from a familiar entity compared to an unknown sender. Little is known about how sender influences response to surveys of organizations. We assessed whether familiarity of the sender influences response outcomes in a survey of emergency medical services agencies.

Effects of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment on Reactive Oxygen Metabolites and Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Periodontitis.

Background: Periodontal infection may contribute to poor glycemic control and systemic inflammation in diabetic patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of non-surgical periodontal treatment in diabetic patients by measuring oxidative stress outcomes.

Methods: Sixty diabetic patients with periodontitis were enrolled, treated with scaling and full-mouth disinfection, and randomly prescribed chlorhexidine mouthwash, antioxidant mouthwash, or ozone therapy.

Ready for Children Part II: Increasing Pediatric Care Coordination and Psychomotor Skills Evaluation in the Prehospital Setting.

: Treating pediatric patients often invokes discomfort and anxiety among emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. As part of the process to improve pediatric care in the prehospital system, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Emergency Services for Children (EMSC) Program implemented two prehospital performance measures -access to a designated pediatric care coordinator (PECC) and skill evaluation using pediatric equipment-along with a multi-year plan to aid states in achieving the measures. Baseline data from a survey conducted in 2017 showed that less than 25% of EMS agencies had access to PECC and 47% performed skills evaluation using pediatric equipment at least twice a year.

The Efficacy of Powered Oscillating Heads vs. Powered Sonic Action Heads Toothbrushes to Maintain Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health: A Narrative Review.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of rotating-oscillating heads (ORHs) VS sonic action heads (SAHs) powered toothbrushes on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.

Methods: An electronic (MEDLINE, Embase, Inspec, PQ SciTech and BIOSIS) and a complementary manual search were made to detect eligible studies. RCTs meeting the following criteria were included: final timepoint longer than 15 days; year of publication after 2000; patients without orthodontic appliances or severe systemic/psychiatric diseases.

Ozone Therapy for Oral Palatal Ulcer in a Leukaemic Patient.

Unlabelled: Chemotherapy usually causes complications affecting several tissues such as oral mucosa. In this case report, a soft palate oral ulcer caused by chemotherapy was treated by ozone gas. This kind of treatment is known for its antimicrobial, regenerative and analgesic proprieties.

Local Formula with Mucoadhesive Property: A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Oral Aphthous Ulcers.

Background: Recurrent or occasional aphthous lesions represent a painful oral condition with high prevalence. Since the etiology is still unclear and most likely related to a dysfunction in the local immune system, several treatment strategies have been proposed, including systemic agents, local agents, and laser therapy, to reduce the pain and discomfort for the patient without acting on the causes.

Materials And Methods: The purpose of the present randomized study was to assess the clinical efficacy of a new topical gel with mucoadhesive property to reduce the pain and the dimension of the aphthosis lesions.

Mandibular Osteonecrosis Associated with Antacid Therapy (Esomeprazole).

Introduction: Osteonecrosis of the jaw has been consistently reported in the literature associated to the high-dose intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. However, osteonecrosis can also occur in patients who have other risk factors.

Case Description: An unusual case of ONJ in a patient being treated with esomeprazole is reported.

Clinical and patient-centered outcomes post non-surgical periodontal therapy with the use of a non-injectable anesthetic product: A randomized clinical study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of different full-mouth decontamination (FMD) protocols on the effectiveness of an intrapocket anesthetic gel in periodontal maintenance patients.

Methods: Patients undergoing the periodontal maintenance program and with the need for FMD participated in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) with either a preparatory 15-day decontamination phase, including chlorhexidine mouth rinse and domiciliary hygiene instructions (modified FMD: test group), or without it (FMD: control group).

A short-term study of the effects of ozone irrigation in an orthodontic population with fixed appliances.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical efficacy of chlorhexidine and ozonised water in the oral hygiene maintenance of orthodontic patients.

Materials And Methods: Study design: This is a prospective clinical study. Thirty patients with orthodontic brackets were selected at the Versilia General Hospital (Lido di Camaiore, Italy).

Effects of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Administration on Dental Sensitivity during In-Office and At-Home Interventions.

Background: Tooth bleaching is the most frequently employed whitening procedure in clinics. The major side effect of tooth bleaching is dental sensitivity during and after the treatment. Here, we evaluated whether the administration of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), during in-office and at-home procedures may impact on dental sensitivity.

Propolis as an adjuvant to non-surgical periodontal treatment: a clinical study with salivary anti-oxidant capacity assessment.

Background: Periodontal diseases are characteristic for the excessive release of oxidant free-radicals by the host. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an anti-oxidant-based formula containing propolis and herbs as an adjunctive therapy to standard non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) when compared to the domiciliary use of chlorhexidine-based formulae.

Methods: Forty patients were enrolled in the present study and randomly allocated to either a control (NSPT plus chlorhexidine gel formula) group or a test (NSPT plus anti-oxidant gel formula) group.

Single-blind randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of an interdental cleaning device in orthodontic patients.

Background: It is well-known that poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment may lead to development of gingivitis, probing pocket depth, hyperplastic tissue, decalcification, dental caries and white spot lesions on the coronal surfaces of teeth.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with the following inclusion criteria were enrolled in the present study: fixed orthodontic treatment, age 12-18 years, systemically healthy, no history of periodontal treatment, periodontal health or gingivitis. The following clinical parameters were collected: periodontal screening and recording, plaque control record, and bleeding on probing.

Transitions of Care: The Presence of Written Interfacility Transfer Guidelines and Agreements for Pediatric Patients.

Objective: Every year, emergency medical services agencies transport approximately 150,000 pediatric patients between hospitals. During these transitions of care, patient safety may be affected and contribute to adverse events when important clinical information is missing, incomplete, or inaccurate. Written interfacility transfer policies are one way to standardize procedures and facilitate communication between the hospitals leading to improved patient safety and satisfaction for children and families.