Modified connective tissue punch technique to increase the vestibular/buccal keratinized tissue on flapless implant surgery: a case series.

The aim of this article is to show a simple and predictable technique to enhance both the vestibular/buccal (V/B) gingival thickness (GT) and keratinized tissue width (KTW) improving the soft-tissue profile after flapless implant placement. The technique proposed was named Modified Connective Tissue Punch (MCTP). Fourteen patients (6 men and 8 women) aged between 35 and 69 years (mean value 48.

Endoscopically controlled hydraulic sinus lift in combination with rotary instruments: one-year follow-up of a case series.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a sinus lift via crestal approach (SLVCA) case series, performed with rotary instruments and hydraulic pressure, analyzed under endoscopic control. Sixteen patients (11 female, 5 male, mean age 47.13±8.

Maxillary sinus by-pass with tilted implants via tapered-screw bone expanders in low density bone: one year follow -up of a case series.

In the present paper the use of tapered-screw bone expanders (TSBEs) is proposed, in combination with the placement of tilted implants in close proximity to the anterior sinus wall, solving the problem of the reduced height of the alveolar bone in the sub-antral area. The Authors named the procedure: Tilted Implant Expansion Osteotomy (TIEO). Fifteen patients (10 females and 5 males, mean age 47.

Clinical outcome of a two-piece implant system with an internal hexagonal connection: a prospective study.

The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the survival rate (SVR - i.e. fixtures still in place at the end of the observation period) and success rate (SCR - i.

A prospective evaluation of outcomes of two tapered implant systems.

The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate survival rate (SVR - i.e. fixtures still in place at the end of the observation period) and success rate (SCR - i.

Preliminary biometric analysis of mesiodistal tooth dimensions in subjects with normal occlusion.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to confirm the efficacy of the Bolton index in a group of natural Class I white Italian patients with complete dentition, minimal crowding, and no previous orthodontic treatment, and to evaluate the mesiodistal tooth dimensions with multivariate cluster analysis.

Methods: Tooth measurements were obtained from a sample of 56 patients with normal occlusion, with a normal Bolton index (22 men, 34 women; mean age, 27.8 years), without previous orthodontic treatment or prosthetic or Class II restorations.

Vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is thought to be common among pregnant women. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy has been suggested as an intervention to protect against adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives: To examine whether oral supplements with vitamin D alone or in combination with calcium or other vitamins and minerals given to women during pregnancy can safely improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Time and place of death from automobile crashes: Research endpoint implications.

Background: Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of US injury and death. Early death, however, has almost entirely been studied in-hospital. The US Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database captures both prehospital and in-hospital mortality.

Improving Walking with an Implanted Neuroprosthesis for Hip, Knee, and Ankle Control After Stroke.

Objective: The objective of this work was to quantify the effects of a fully implanted pulse generator to activate or augment actions of hip, knee, and ankle muscles after stroke.

Design: The subject was a 64-year-old man with left hemiparesis resulting from hemorrhagic stroke 21 months before participation. He received an 8-channel implanted pulse generator and intramuscular stimulating electrodes targeting unilateral hip, knee, and ankle muscles on the paretic side.

Quantitative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of premaxilla and symphysis in Class I and Class III malocclusions.

Aims: In order to compare the premaxilla and symphysis in Class I and Class III individuals, we measured the following parameters on CBCT scans: incisor inclination, symphyseal morphology, upper alveolar process morphology, symphyseal and maxillary leeway space, as well as anterior and posterior maxillary and mandibular bone thickness at various points below the cementoenamel junction.

Materials And Methods: CBCT scans were taken of 62 individuals (41 females and 21 males) of ages ranging between 11 and 53years (mean 23.26).

Persistent complex bereavement disorder in caregivers of terminally ill patients undergoing supportive-expressive treatment: a pilot study.

Background: The proposal of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD) in the DSM-V increased the interest on the impact of grief on the psychological health.

Aims: Investigating the time course of psychological symptoms, emotional and social abilities in caregivers (undergoing or not to supportive-expressive treatment) of terminally ill cancer patients from 1 months before loss to 14 months after it.

Method: Thirty-three of 60 caregivers were assessed by PG-12, HAM-A, HAM-D, TAS-20 and ASQ, at the admission in Hospice, and after 3, 10 and 14 months from the loss.

Giant kidney worms in a patient with renal cell carcinoma.

Dioctophyma renale (D. renale), or giant kidney worms, are the largest nematodes that infect mammals. Approximately 20 cases of human infection have been reported.

Assessing patient and caregiver understanding of and satisfaction with the use of contact isolation.

Background: Contact isolation is a method used for limiting the spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms when caring for patients. This policy has been linked to several adverse outcomes and less patient satisfaction. We assessed patient and caregiver understanding and satisfaction with the use of contact isolation.

Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: Updated meta-analysis on maternal outcomes.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent during pregnancy. It has been suggested that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of adverse gestational outcomes.

Objectives: To update a previous meta-analysis on the effects of oral vitamin D supplementation (alone or in combination with other vitamins and minerals) during pregnancy on maternal 25(OH)D levels and risk of developing pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, impaired glucose tolerance, caesarean section, gestational hypertension and other adverse conditions.

Spirituality and Awareness of Diagnoses in Terminally Ill Patients With Cancer.

Objective: Aims of the present study were to investigate the association between awareness of own illness condition and psychological outcome in end-of-life phase and to test the association between the spirituality and the awareness of own illness condition.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-nine terminally ill patients with cancer were enrolled in a hospice in central Italy. One hundred patients satisfied the inclusion criteria.

Caries prevention during orthodontic treatment: In-vivo assessment of high-fluoride varnish to prevent white spot lesions.

Introduction: Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a fluoridated varnish in preventing white spot lesions in patients with fixed appliances. A laser-induced fluorescence device was used to determine any correlations between the degree of demineralization and the length of the observation period, the arch sector, the frequency of varnish application, and the specific tooth site.

Methods: A split-mouth study design was used for 24 orthodontic patients, allocated randomly to 2 subgroups with differing frequencies of Duraphat varnish (Colgate-Palmolive, New York, NY) application.

Load deflection characteristics of square and rectangular archwires.

Aims: To determine and compare the relative stiffness of a large selection of commonly-used square and rectangular steel, super-tempered steel, NiTi, and TMA orthodontic archwires of various cross-sections, in order to provide the clinician with a useful, easy-to-consult guide to archwire sequence selection.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four archwires of different cross-section shape, size and material were selected. Each type was subjected to a modified three-point bending test, performed in triplicate using an Instron 4467 dynamometer.

Vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is thought to be common among pregnant women. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy has been suggested as an intervention to protect against adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives: To examine whether oral supplements with vitamin D alone or in combination with calcium or other vitamins and minerals given to women during pregnancy can safely improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tong Len Meditation Practice in Cancer Patients: Evaluation of a Distant Psychological Healing Effect.

Context: Tong Len meditation is an important therapeutic tool in the Tibetan medicine, and it can be used for self-healing and/or to heal others. Currently, in the West, there is no scientific study concerning the efficacy of a Tong Len distant healing effect on psychological disorders in cancer patients.

Objectives: To evaluate a distant healing effect of Tong Len meditation on stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and self-perceived quality of life in cancer patients.

New Technologies for Insect-Resistant and Herbicide-Tolerant Plants.

The advent of modern molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of insect-resistant (IR) and herbicide-tolerant (HT) plant varieties, with great economic benefits for farmers. Nevertheless, the high selection pressure generated by control strategies for weed and insect populations has led to the evolution of herbicide and pesticide resistance. In the short term, the development of new techniques or the improvement of existing ones will provide further instruments to counter the appearance of resistant weeds and insects and to reduce the use of agrochemicals.

Optical properties of orthodontic aligners--spectrophotometry analysis of three types before and after aging.

Background: The aim was to assess and compare absorbance and transmittance values of three types of clear orthodontic aligners before and after two cycles of in vitro aging.

Methods: Nine samples of orthodontic aligners from three different manufacturers (Invisalign, Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA; All-In, Micerium, Avegno, GE, Italy; F22 Aligner, Sweden & Martina, Due Carrare, PD, Italy) were selected, and each sample was subjected to spectrophotometry analysis of both its transmittance and absorbance a total of 27 times. Samples were subsequently aged in vitro at a constant temperature in artificial saliva supplemented with food colouring for two cycles of 14 days each.

Comparison of dental and alveolar arch forms between different ethnic groups.

Objective: The aims of this study were to evaluate, by means of 3D software, any correlation between ethnic group and the shape and size of the dental arcade and its bony support, and to investigate the correspondence between the latter two variables within each ethnic group. The data gathered were also compared with the measurements of commercially available pre-formed archwires to determine which provide the best fit for each arch in each group.

Materials And Methods: The shape and size of the dental and alveolar arches of 29 subjects of African origin and 37 Caucasian subjects were compared in terms of linear inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar measurements, overall arch length, and the distance between each tooth and the reference occlusal plane.

Orthodontics is temporomandibular disorder-neutral.

Objectives: To assess if subjects with a clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have a similar prevalence of orthodontic history as a population of TMD-free individuals and to assess if those subjects who have a history of ideal orthodontics have fewer symptoms than those with a history of nonideal orthodontics.

Materials And Methods: Two groups of age- and sex-matched individuals belonging to either a study ("TMD") or a control group were recruited. Subjects who underwent orthodontic treatment were classified as having a history of ideal or nonideal orthodontics based on the current presence of normal values in five reference occlusal features.