Assessment of pH Value and Release of Calcium Ions in Calcium Silicate Cements: An In Vitro Comparative Study.

Unlabelled: The goal of this study was to evaluate the pH and the release of calcium from four calcium-silicate-based cements.

Methods: Four materials were tested (ProClinic MTA; Angelus MTA; ProRoot MTA; Biodentine). The palatal canal root of acrylic upper molars was filled with each cement.

Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Automatic Detection of Peri-implant Marginal Bone Remodeling in Intraoral Radiographs.

Peri-implantitis can cause marginal bone remodeling around implants. The aim is to develop an automatic image processing approach based on two artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in intraoral (periapical and bitewing) radiographs to assist dentists in determining bone loss. The first is a deep learning (DL) object-detector (YOLOv3) to roughly identify (no exact localization is required) two objects: prosthesis (crown) and implant (screw).

Cognitive Reserve Characteristics and Occupational Performance Implications in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The Cognitive Reserve hypothesis suggests that there are individual differences in the ability to cope with the pathologic changes in Alzheimer's Disease. The proportion of elderly individuals has increased in recent years; this increase emphasizes the importance of early detection of mild cognitive impairment and the promotion of healthy ageing. The purpose of our study is to characterize cognitive reserve and occupational performance implications in people with mild cognitive impairment.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies after First 6 Months of COVID-19 Pandemic, Portugal.

In September 2020, we tested 13,398 persons in Portugal for antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by using a quota sample stratified by age and population density. We found a seroprevalence of 2.2%, 3-4 times larger than the official number of cases at the end of the first wave of the pandemic.

Plasma Fatty Acids and Quantitative Ultrasound, DXA and pQCT Derived Parameters in Postmenopausal Spanish Women.

Different factors may contribute to the development of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Fatty acids are key nutrients for health, and a number of studies have reported an association between bone mineral density (BMD) and fatty acid intake. We aimed to investigate the relationships between serum levels of different fatty acids and bone parameters determined by quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a sample of Spanish postmenopausal women.

Depressed Mood after Stroke: Predictive Factors at Six Months Follow-Up.

Unlabelled: We aimed to know the prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) in our context, identify the variables that could predict post-stroke depression, by using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, occurring within six months after stroke, and identify patients at high risk for PSD.

Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional and observational study. We included 173 patients with stroke (transient ischemic attack (TIA) included) and collected sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Physician-patient agreement at a rheumatology consultation - construction and validation of a consultation assessment instrument.

Objectives: After consultations, the physician's perceptions differ from the patient's perceptions concerning illness level, cause, and nature of the problem and content of the consultation. Agreement on problems requiring follow-up was associated with a better outcome. The primary aim of this study was to build and validate an instrument that could assess physician-patient agreement in the rheumatology consultation.

Recent and historical pollution legacy in high altitude Lake Marboré (Central Pyrenees): A record of mining and smelting since pre-Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula.

We have analyzed potential harmful trace elements (PHTE; Pb, Hg, Zn, As and Cu) on sediment cores retrieved from lake Marboré (LM) (2612 m a.s.l, 42°41'N; 0° 2'E).

Automatic computation of mandibular indices in dental panoramic radiographs for early osteoporosis detection.

Aim: A new automatic method for detecting specific points and lines (straight and curves) in dental panoramic radiographies (orthopantomographies) is proposed, where the human knowledge is mapped to the automatic system. The goal is to compute relevant mandibular indices (Mandibular Cortical Width, Panoramic Mandibular Index, Mandibular Ratio, Mandibular Cortical Index) in order to detect the thinning and deterioration of the mandibular bone. Data can be stored for posterior massive analysis.

Preclinical assessment methodology using a dental simulator during dental students' first and third years.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the parameters recorded by the Simodont dental trainer and methacrylate block grades during preclinical practicums to validate whether manual skills can be assessed by both methodologies, over a period of two years and to obtain a preclinical evaluation methodology for all the parameters that measure Simodont performance in each of the prepared figures. To this end, the methacrylate block practice's criteria and evaluation scale were used as predictors. A total of 82 students who completed the first year of dentistry were followed for 2 years.

Rubella in Sub-Saharan Africa and sensorineural hearing loss: a case control study.

Background: Rubella infection can affect several organs and cause birth defects that are responsible for congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Congenital hearing loss is the most common symptom of this syndrome, occurring in approximately 60% of CRS cases. Worldwide, over 100 000 babies are born with CRS every year.

Greater Calcium Intake is Associated with Better Bone Health Measured by Quantitative Ultrasound of the Phalanges in Pediatric Patients Treated with Anticonvulsant Drugs.

We aimed to investigate and compare the effects of chronic antiepileptic therapy on bone health in pediatric patients using quantitative ultrasound of the phalanges (QUS) and controlling for potential confounding factors, particularly nutrient intake. The amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS) was measured in 33 epileptic children and 32 healthy children aged 6.5 ± 3.

Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism does not affect bone mass as determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography and quantitative bone ultrasound in Spanish women.

Introduction: The results of studies examining the influence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement therapy on bone have generated considerable interest but also controversy. The present research aims to evaluate the effects of L-T4 treatment on different skeletal sites in women.

Material And Methods: A group of 45 premenopausal (mean age: 43.

Lack of Influence of Vitamin D Receptor BsmI (rs1544410) Polymorphism on the Rate of Bone Loss in a Cohort of Postmenopausal Spanish Women Affected by Osteoporosis and Followed for Five Years.

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the relation between a polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and quantitative ultrasound of the phalanges (QUS) over a five-year period. The subjects were 456 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis undergoing treatment, aged 59.95±7.

Validation of Portuguese-translated computer touch-screen questionnaires in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, compared with paper formats.

The aim of this paper was to assess the validity and reliability of the touch-screen standard Portuguese version of the following patient-reported outcomes (PROs), compared with paper format, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scale (ASQoL), Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and visual analogue scales (VAS) measuring pain and burden of disease. Adult patients with RA and spondyloarthritis attending the Portuguese Institute of Rheumatology were recruited from March 2013 to January 2014. Patients filled the paper and touch-screen formats of the standard Portuguese versions of the PROs.

Common allelic variants of the vitamin receptor D gene rs7975232 (ApaI) do not influence bone mineral density figures in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

This study examined the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and the rs7975232 (ApaI) polymorphism of the vitamin receptor D (VDR) gene. The polymorphism was detected using the real-time PCR TaqMan method. The rs7975232 genotype was determined in 274 postmenopausal osteoporotic Spanish women who were 60.

Lack of association of vitamin D receptor BsmI gene polymorphism with bone mineral density in Spanish postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis is a polygenic disorder that is determined by the effects of several genes, each with relatively modest effects on bone mass. The aim of this study was to determine whether the vitamin D receptor single nucleotide polymorphism BsmI is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in Spanish postmenopausal women. A total of 210 unrelated healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 ± 8 years were genotyped using TaqMan(®) SNP Genotyping Assays.

Modelling the longevity of dental restorations by means of a CBR system.

The lifespan of dental restorations is limited. Longevity depends on the material used and the different characteristics of the dental piece. However, it is not always the case that the best and longest lasting material is used since patients may prefer different treatments according to how noticeable the material is.

[Assessing the magnitude of osteoarthritis disadvantage on people's lives: the MOVES study].

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the ten most disabling diseases in developed countries and one of the leading causes of pain and disability over the world. Early diagnosis increases the likelihood of preventing disease progression.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported osteoarthritis and quality of life in Portuguese adults with 45 or more years old.

Segmental fat-free and fat mass measurements by bioelectrical impedance analysis in 2,224 healthy Spanish women aged 18-85 years.

Objectives: This study provides updated data on body composition in adult Spanish women.

Methods: We considered data, including height and weight, from a survey conducted on a total of 4,013 adult women between 2009 and 2010. A subgroup of 2,224 women completed a bioelectrical body impedance analysis of body composition using a Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (Model no.

[Reproductive activity of Chelonia mydas (Testudines: Cheloniidae) in Isla de Aves, Venezuela (2001-2008)].

The second major nesting-site for green turtles in the Caribbean is Isla de Aves, an island protected as a wildlife refuge since 1972, located at 650km Northeast from La Guaira, Venezuela. In this island, the nesting population monitoring started in 1972 and in a more continuous way after 1978, when a Scientific-Naval Station was established and scientific observations started. Since historical data show that female captures had severely affected population levels in this island before 1978, this study aim to describe recent reproductive activities.

Effects of curcumin on the proliferation and mineralization of human osteoblast-like cells: implications of nitric oxide.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is found in the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.) and has been used for centuries as a dietary spice and as a traditional Indian medicine used to treat different conditions. At the cellular level, curcumin modulates important molecular targets: transcription factors, enzymes, cell cycle proteins, cytokines, receptors and cell surface adhesion molecules.

Automatic knowledge extraction in sequencing analysis with multiagent system and grid computing.

Advances in bioinformatics have contributed towards a significant increase in available information. Information analysis requires the use of distributed computing systems to best engage the process of data analysis. This study proposes a multiagent system that incorporates grid technology to facilitate distributed data analysis by dynamically incorporating the roles associated to each specific case study.

Mechanical characterization of sclerotic occlusal dentin by nanoindentation and nanoscratch.

Purpose: To evaluate the mechanical properties of occlusal wear lesions identified as sclerotic.

Methods: Nanoindentation and nanoscratch techniques have been applied to determine elastic modulus (E), hardness (H) and wear resistance of different types of sclerotic dentin. Nanoscratch testing was applied to evaluate the tribological behavior.