Evaluation of left ventricular filling pressure by echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Echocardiography is widely used to evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients suspected of heart failure. For patients in sinus rhythm, a combination of several echocardiographic parameters can differentiate between normal and elevated LV filling pressure with good accuracy. However, there is no established echocardiographic approach for the evaluation of LV filling pressure in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Characterization of Tricuspid Valve Anatomy and Coaptation Gap in Subjects Receiving Tricuspid Transcatheter Edge-To-Edge Repair: Observations From the bRIGHT TriClip Study.

Background: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has experienced fast adoption following commercial approval. Defining the appropriate target population for TEER therapy is important to guide patient selection. The aim of this study was to characterize tricuspid valve anatomy and coaptation gap in subjects receiving TEER for the treatment of TR in a contemporary postmarket setting.

Acute and Chronic Changes in Myocardial Work Parameters in Patients with Severe Primary Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Background: The noninvasive assessment of myocardial work (MW) allows for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) performance by considering the effect of LV afterload. This study aims to evaluate the acute and chronic impact of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) on MW parameters and LV remodeling in patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation (PMR).

Methods: A total of 71 patients (age: 77 ± 9 years, females: 44%) with moderate-to-severe or severe PMR (effective regurgitant orifice: 0.

The effect of antiretroviral therapyon the periodontal conditions of patients with HIV infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To assess any differences (1) in the prevalence of periodontitis and necrotizing periodontal diseases, specifically necrotizing gingivitis (NG) and necrotizing periodontitis (NP) between HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and those not receiving the therapy and (2) in the severity of periodontitis based on probing depths (PDs) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) between the two groups.

Materials And Methods: Systematic electronic search on five databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo) was conducted to identify cross-sectional and longitudinal studies reporting on prevalence of NG, NP and periodontitis among HIV patients who either receive or do not receive HAART treatment. The differences in clinical parameters of PDs and CAL among these patients were assessed.

How myocardial work could be relevant in patients with an aortic valve stenosis?

Aims: Myocardial work (MW) calculation is an attractive method to assess left ventricular (LV) myocardial function. In case of aortic stenosis (AS), assessment of work indices is challenging because it requires an accurate evaluation of LV-pressure curves. We sought to evaluate the performances of two distinct methods and to provide a quantitative comparison with invasive data.

Interaction between mitral valve apparatus and left ventricle. Functional mitral regurgitation: A brief state-of-the-art overview.

In this overview, we described the mitral valve anatomy, focusing on its anatomical and functional relationships with the left ventricle (LV), and how an impaired coordination between the two can lead to valvular dysfunction with serious clinical consequences. In the 1st part of this overview, we sought to describe the anatomy of the mitral valve apparatus. In the 2nd part, we sought to analyze the interactions of the LV with the mitral valve, the possible etiologies that cause mitral regurgitation (MR), and therapeutic strategies that can be utilized nowadays in the effort to reinstate normal valvular function.

Indoor Air Quality Evaluation Using Mechanical Ventilation and Portable Air Purifiers in an Academic Dentistry Clinic during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is mainly transmitted through droplets without overlooking other sources of transmission, rendered attention on the air quality in indoor areas and more specifically in healthcare settings. The improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ) is ensured by frequent changes of the air that must be carried out in healthcare areas and with assistance from special devices that undertake the filtration of the air and its purification through special filters and lamps. In this research, the performance of air purifiers is assessed in terms of the limitation of PM, PM, VOCs and CO in a postgraduate clinic of the Dentistry School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in parallel with mechanical ventilation.

Preparing dental schools to refunction safely during the COVID-19 pandemic: an infection prevention and control perspective.

In late 2019 a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China and spread throughout the world over a short period of time causing a pandemic of a respiratory disease named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 is easily transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets and direct contact. The scarce available data indicate that dental healthcare personnel are at increased risk for acquisition of infection.

A comparison of a new alcohol-free 0.2% chlorhexidine oral rinse to an established 0.2% chlorhexidine rinse with alcohol for the control of dental plaque accumulation.

Objectives: To compare the clinical efficacy of two formulations (alcohol and alcohol free) of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) rinses on plaque, gingivitis and discoloration of teeth.

Methods: This double-blind crossover study consisted of one group of 10 volunteer dental students that followed two 21-day experimental gingivitis test periods.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis mimicking aggressive periodontitis: Challenges in diagnosis and management.

Objective: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells that affects various organs. Oral involvement may simulate periodontal disease and cause significant diagnostic and management difficulties. Here, we present an interesting LCH case with severe periodontal destruction in a young woman in order to facilitate early recognition of this aggressive disease and successful participation of the general practitioner in the management of such patients.

Changes of volatile sulphur compounds during therapy of a case series of patients with chronic periodontitis and halitosis.

Aim: To assess the effect of different stages of intervention on volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) of periodontitis patients with halitosis, before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Material & Methods: This clinical trial included 18 adults with chronic periodontitis and halitosis. After initial examination, patients received oral hygiene (OH) instructions and tongue cleaner.

Oxytalan-positive peripheral ossifying fibromas express runt-related transcription factor 2, bone morphogenetic protein-2, and cementum attachment protein. An immunohistochemical study.

Background: The peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF) represents one of the most common lesions of the periodontal tissues that may originate from the gingival soft tissues, the periosteum, or the periodontal ligament.

Aim: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and cementum attachment protein (CAP) in oxytalan-positive POF, to establish the use of POF as an in vivo model for the study of the periodontal ligament.

Materials And Methods: Thirty tumors that presented clinical and histologic features of POF, as well as oxytalan fibers, were included in the study.

Severe periodontitis in a patient with hyperoxaluria and oxalosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Hyperoxaluria is a metabolic disease with excessive urinary oxalate excretion that can be primary or secondary. Hyperoxaluria can result in chronic renal disease and renal failure. Calcium oxalate crystals can be deposited in oral tissues, and the disease can be associated with severe periodontitis and tooth loss.

Emissions of total volatile organic compounds and indoor environment assessment in dental clinics in Athens, Greece.

Objective: To quantify the amount of Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) emitted from five dental substances commonly used in a dental clinic.

Method: An assessment of the indoor air quality in two clinics of the Athens University Dentistry Faculty was conducted.

Results: It was found that TVOC emissions from Kalocryl and Bacillol reached extremely high values affecting the air in the dental clinics at short and long distances from the source.

HPV detection rate in saliva may depend on the immune system efficiency.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been established as a major etiological factor of anogenital cancer. In addition, HPV has also been implicated in oral carcinogenesis but its detection rates appear to be highly variable, depending on the patient population tested, the molecular methodology used, as well as the type of oral specimen investigated. For example, saliva is an oral fluid that may play a role in HPV transmission, although the detection rates of the virus are lower than tissue.

Indoor air quality in a dentistry clinic.

The purpose of this work is to assess, both experimentally and theoretically the status of air quality in a dentistry clinic of the Athens University Dentistry Faculty with respect to chemical pollutants and identify the indoor sources associated with dental activities. Total VOCs, CO(2), PM(10), PM(2.5), NO(x) and SO(2) were measured over a period of approximately three months in a selected dentistry clinic.

Contamination of a toothbrush with antibacterial properties by oral microorganisms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the contamination and the survival rate of periodontopathic and cariogenic species on new toothbrushes with antibacterial properties (coated bristles with triclosan), after a single use in periodontitis patients. The decontamination effect of the use of toothpaste was also evaluated.

Methods: Ten patients, who consulted the Department of Periodontology, for treatment of chronic periodontitis, were selected.

Contamination of interdental brushes by periodontopathogens.

Experimental studies have shown that intraoral transmission of bacteria can occur. Of course, the question arises as to how this transmission may happen. In this study, the contamination of interdental brushes by periodontopathogens is examined and compared to the microbial load of the periodontal pockets.

Expectations and perceptions of Greek patients regarding the quality of dental health care.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and expectations of patients regarding the quality of dental health care they received and the criteria they used to select a dentist.

Design: Descriptive study.

Methods: Two questionnaires referring to the expectations and the perceptions of dental health care were handed to patients.

[Protective measures against AIDS].

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has the same epidemiology and way of transmission as the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The HIV is destroyed by physical or chemical means easier than HBV and the HIV concentration in the blood is less than that of HBV. This fact leads us to the conclusion that there is the risk of transmission of HIV in the surgery but it is much less than that of HBV.