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Background: Treating tooth root canal systems with Er:YAG laser together with irrigants has been shown to be effective in reducing biofilms formed by Enterococcus faecalis. This study investigated whether laser-activated irrigation (LAI) with side-firing Endo tip (LiteTouch™; Light Instruments, Yokneam, Israel) affects dentin mineral composition when used with common endodontic irrigants. Methods: Root canals of extracted human teeth were treated with Er:YAG laser using a side-firing Endo tip combined with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or 2.5% NaOCl in continuous or intermittent mode for 60 s. Dentin mineral composition (Ca, P, O) in coronal, middle, and apical regions of root canals was examined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results: The use of LAI with continuous EDTA resulted in the largest reduction in Ca and P levels. A final NaOCl rinse mitigated the EDTA-mediated mineral loss in all root canal regions and increased the O content. Likewise, the reduced Ca/O and Ca/P ratios caused by continuous EDTA irrigation were reversed when combined with a final NaOCl rinse. Conclusions: LAI with Er:YAG Endo tip using continuous EDTA irrigation followed by NaOCl caused minimal dentin mineral loss and can therefore be considered to be a safe treatment module for cleaning root canals.

Abstract The present work aimed to investigate the impacts of tank color (transparent, light blue, and red), feed pellet types (floating and sinking), and their interaction on the performance and welfare of red hybrid tilapia juveniles with an initial average weight of 19.59 g for a 50 day trial period following a 3 × 2 factorial design. Fish were cultured randomly at a stoking rate of 10 juveniles/100‐L tank. Fish were fed 6 days per week at a rate of 4% biomass twice daily. Three replicates were performed for each measurement. A two‐way analysis of variance showed that using tanks of different colors (transparent, light blue, and red) has no impact on the growth, feed efficacy, survival rate, and blood composition (except for red blood cells, hematocrit, and triglycerides) of tilapia. Also, pellet types (floating and sinking) showed no significant alterations for the above variables except for glucose and hematocrit levels. Interestingly, the interaction between tank color and pellet type exhibited significant impacts on growth parameters, feed utilization, blood variables, and intestinal enzymes of red hybrid tilapia. Moreover, fish reared in transparent or light blue tanks and fed with floating diets performed the best for all evaluated parameters. Additionally, sinking pellets had better effects when combined with red (dark)‐colored tanks.

BackgroundThe Sleep Beliefs Scale (SBS) is a well-known tool to design and monitor personalized sleep health promotion at an individual and population level. The lack of an established French version limits the development of effective interventions targeting these populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to validate the French version of the SBS in a representative sample of the general population.MethodsQuota sampling was used to recruit 1,004 participants (18–65 years, mean age: 43 years, 54% of female) who underwent an online survey to complete the SBS, and to assess sleep schedules, sleep quality and disorders, and mental health. Cronbach’s α coefficient, confirmatory factor analysis, item-internal consistency (IIC), and item discriminant validity (IDV) of the SBS were computed to assess internal validity while bivariate associations with sleep schedules, sleep quality and disorders, and mental health were used to assess external convergent and discriminant validity.ResultsThe mean score on the SBS was 12.3 ± 4.9. Item 19 (“Quiet & Dark”) showed the highest rate of correct answers (n = 801, 79.8%), while item 20 (“Recovering sleep”) showed the lowest rate of correct answers (n = 246, 24.5%). Overall, the SBS showed satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.87) and confirmed the three-factor structure proposed by the original study. All items were found consistent (IIC > 0.4) and discriminant (IIC > IDV) except for item 20 (“recovering lost sleep by sleeping for a long time”). Females, older participants, and subjects with short time-in-bed, poor sleep quality, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorder had higher SBS scores while participants with depressive symptoms had lower SBS scores.ConclusionWe successfully translated and validated the French version of the SBS in a representative sample, making it a reliable instrument for researchers and clinicians to assess and target sleep beliefs. Correct answers vary from 25 to 80% which underlines the importance of continuing sleep health promotion campaigns by targeting poorly understood behaviors. Our findings also shed light on the fickleness of beliefs that are prone to vary within individuals across time, in step with societal changes. Several associated factors were identified, thus contributing to our understanding of sleep beliefs and offering insights for personalized approaches to enhance sleep health and overall well-being.

Background: Treating tooth root canal systems with Er:YAG laser together with irrigants has been shown to be effective in reducing biofilms formed by Enterococcus faecalis. This study investigated whether laser-activated irrigation (LAI) with side-firing Endo tip (LiteTouch™; Light Instruments, Yokneam, Israel) affects dentin mineral composition when used with common endodontic irrigants. Methods: Root canals of extracted human teeth were treated with Er:YAG laser using a side-firing Endo tip combined with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and/or 2.5% NaOCl in continuous or intermittent mode for 60 s. Dentin mineral composition (Ca, P, O) in coronal, middle, and apical regions of root canals was examined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results: The use of LAI with continuous EDTA resulted in the largest reduction in Ca and P levels. A final NaOCl rinse mitigated the EDTA-mediated mineral loss in all root canal regions and increased the O content. Likewise, the reduced Ca/O and Ca/P ratios caused by continuous EDTA irrigation were reversed when combined with a final NaOCl rinse. Conclusions: LAI with Er:YAG Endo tip using continuous EDTA irrigation followed by NaOCl caused minimal dentin mineral loss and can therefore be considered to be a safe treatment module for cleaning root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser-activated irrigation (LAI) is used in endodontic treatment to remove the smear layer and kill bacteria in the root canal. However, this procedure can cause photo-thermal effects that harm the surrounding tissue. Therefore, it was important to study the temperature changes that occur at the outer tooth surface during activation of the Er:YAG laser using a side-firing spiral Endo tip in the root canal. Laser treatment was performed either in the absence of fluid in the root canal or in the presence of a 17% EDTA solution. Irrigation with 17% EDTA was either performed in a continuous mode for 60 s or in a segmented mode of 4 rinses with 17% EDTA for 15 s each. The temperature was measured every second during the treatment at three tooth surface sites: the cementoenamel junction, the middle region and the apical region. Our data show that the greatest temperature changes occurred when the laser was used alone without an irrigation solution, while minor temperature changes were observed with continuous irrigation. In conclusion, we would recommend applying the laser treatment with an irrigation solution to avoid excessive heating.