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Current debates about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its effects cover a wide range of perspectives, including optimistic views of a better world, as well as pessimistic concerns about an uncontrollable superintelligence that will dominate humankind to our detriment. AI is also revolutionizing religion by fundamentally changing its core dimensions, facilitating worldwide interconnectedness, and allowing individuals to engage with religious teachings and rituals regardless of their physical location. Our study sets out to explore the junction of AI, ethics, and Romanian traditional religious practices and analyze how they interact and create tension between orthodoxy and orthopraxy, that is, right belief and right behavior. In addition, we seek to assess the speed at which an AI-driven society will develop and the level of opposition it will face. By taking an information-oriented rather than dogmatic perspective, the study aims to contribute insightful knowledge that can support advancement towards spiritually sustainable goals and an ethically responsible society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article from the Romanian Journal of Oral Rehabilitation discusses the dental anomaly known as taurodontism and its challenges in pediatric dentistry. Taurodontism is characterized by an enlarged pulp chamber and a lack of constriction at the cement-enamel junction. It can appear as an isolated anomaly or be associated with syndromes and abnormalities. The article highlights the difficulties in endodontic treatment and emphasizes the need for clinicians to review the best treatment options for taurodontic teeth. The text discusses the challenges and management of taurodontic teeth, which have unique anatomical variations. The root canal system of taurodontic teeth can be complex and difficult to access. The treatment may involve careful exploration, magnification, and ultrasonic irrigation. Extraction of taurodontic teeth can be complicated due to the dilated apical third, but it may also be easier due to the large body and small surface area. Taurodontic teeth may have favorable periodontal prognosis in certain cases. Prosthodontic treatment should avoid post placement and consider the strength of the tooth. Taurodontism can also be associated with genetic syndromes and systemic conditions. Dental practitioners should be aware of these changes and use appropriate techniques for endodontic and prosthodontic management. [Extracted from the article]

A nanocomposite made from hydroxyapatite (HAP) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), namely HAP-4.5 wt% AgNPs, is reported. HAP was prepared using a wet precipitation technique, and AgNPs were made by reducing silver nitrate with glucose in basic medium. HAP, AgNPs and HAP-4.5 wt% AgNPs composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and different imagistic methods: TEM and AFM. The antibacterial effect of the HAP-4.5 wt% AgNPs nanocomposite was tested using diffusion technique in nutritive agar on two pathogenic species, one Gram-negative (Salmonella typhimurium) and one Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus) and promising results were obtained. This hydroxyapatite-silver nanocomposite can be employed as a potential antimicrobial coating for dental and orthopedic implants, or they can be utilized such as bone cements in clinical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of toothpastes is the best way to combat enamel loss and degradation. When they also contain hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, HAP NPs, the tooth enamel can be restored by remineralization. In this study, we developed two types of toothpastes, one with nano sized HAP, noted P1, and the other with nano multi-substituted hydroxyapatite (ms-HAP, HAP-Mg-Zn-Si), noted P2, which were used to treat the artificially demineralized teeth enamel surface. The remineralization efficacy of the two toothpastes was determined on artificially created enamel lesions by suspending healthy enamel slices in demineralizing solution, made of orthophosphoric acid of 37.5% for 90 s. For this purpose, six extracted third molars were collected and twenty-four enamel slices were cut and arbitrarily allocated to the four groups, namely n = 6 enamel slices for each group. One group served as untreated (natural) enamel control, and another group comprised demineralized enamel and two test groups, firstly demineralized, and then, they were treated with toothpastes P1 and P2, respectively, each of them for ten days, and finally were noted P1 and P2 enamel surfaces. The surface morphology and roughness of all enamel specimens were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after applying the treatment with the toothpastes. The toothpastes effect was evidenced by the average diameter of ceramic nanoparticles deposited within the superficial smooth layer on enamel surface having, at the completion of 10 days treatment, a low surface roughness close to that of natural enamel. This in vitro comparative study demonstrated that both toothpastes P1 and P2 can promote surface enamel repair by remineralization and the formation of a protective hydroxyapatite coating layer on the enamel surface treated with these toothpastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ions in its structure, that have a variety of important roles in bone metabolism, forsterite (FS, Mg2SiO4) is a promising candidate for orthopedic and dental applications. This paper studies forsterite synthesized through two methods, namely sol-gel (FSsg) and precipitation (FSpp), based on a thermodynamic approach. Therefore, the precursor gel and precipitate were analyzed through thermal gravimetric (TG), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. The FSsg and FSpp powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). XRD reveals that the synthesized forsterite is of high crystallinity. As is evidenced by AFM, the average size of the nanoparticles is around 40 nm for FSsg and 30 nm for FSpp. The potential reaction mechanisms for the two synthesis routes were also established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review of Susan B. Barnes. Visual Spirituality. Art, Mediums, and Cognitive Dissociation, New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Oxford, Wien: Peter Lang, XVI, 2022 (216p). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review proposes a comparative analysis of the benefits and harms of alternative technologies applied in oral health care. Many innovative technologies have been introduced in oral hygiene, oriented to personalize brushing routines and provide brushing feedback. Built-in smart sensors enhance the performance of toothbrushes in terms of brushing pressure, motion precision, and video recognition of negatively affected areas. Further, connected smartphone applications are available to guide users in proper brushing techniques, thus allowing greater control over their oral care practices. DNA sequencing technology is used to formulate oral care products targeted to specific mechanisms of action. Oral hygiene and products are nano-modified, and targeted to specific sites. The purpose of this perspective review is to provide an update of the technology available for improved oral health, patient selfcare and evidence to aid patients in making better decisions when a large number of products are available on the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HAP) and three multiple substituted HAPs, containing Mg, Zn, Sr and Si were synthesized by a wet precipitation method The presence of the HAP lattice as unique crystalline phase was established by XRD and by FTIR spectroscopy. The chemical composition was confirmed by SEM-EDX. The TEM, SEM and AFM imaging showed the morphology of these biomaterials. The elements release in water and in simulated body fluid (SBF) was monitored in time from 1 to 90 days, by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results are important for the future use of these hydroxyapatite biomaterials, as bone substitutes or coatings on metallic implants, able to release essential physiological elements, both in vitro and in vivo, with great impact in orthopedics and dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The present study aimed primarily to assess COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) course and management in unvaccinated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Secondary objectives included an analysis of the impact of RA disease activity, age, comorbidities, and DMARD treatment on COVID-19 course. Materials and methods. We performed a prospective observational study on RA patients in the 1st Rheumatology Clinic of the Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital between February and July 2021. The criteria for inclusion in the study cohort were: confirmed RA diagnosis and SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) infection confirmed by rapid antigen test and/or RT-PCR (Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction) during hospitalization in our department. We excluded the patients who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and those with incomplete data regarding COVID-19 clinical features and management. Demographic characteristics, DAS28 (Disease Activity Score 28) and the treatment prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the patients’ comorbidities were taken from the subjects’ charts completed on presentation in the 1st Rheumatology Clinic. COVID-19-related data were collected from the patients’ release forms from specialized departments. Results. The study group included 28 unvaccinated patients with RA who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All patients over 65 years of age were symptomatic for COVID-19. Moreover, this subgroup had an increased risk of pneumonia (p = 0.047) and a 217% risk increase for desaturation. Comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with COVID-19 pneumonia (p = 0.048). Women needed less antiaggregant and anticoagulant medication (p = 0.029), antitussives (p = 0.014) and oxygen therapy (p = 0.044) compared to men. Patients with comorbid heart failure, valvulopathies and cardiac ischemia were more likely to require antiaggregant or anticoagulant medication during hospitalization for COVID-19 (p = 0.003, p = 0.013, and p < 0.001). DAS28 ≥ 5.1 prior to infection was associated with Tocilizumab therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia, results approaching statistical significance in this respect. Conclusions. In the present study group, we found significant associations between COVID-19-related changes and advanced age, as well as certain comorbidities. Large comprehensive longitudinal studies may provide a more accurate representation of COVID-19 outcomes in unvaccinated patients with RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study uses polysomnography and the Epworth sleepiness scale to assess the efficiency of the Ocluch © MAD in patients with Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS), on overall respiratory disturbance indices (RDI), supine respiratory disturbance index (SRDI), minimum oxygen saturation, microarousals, CT90 (or ID90), sleep efficacy and snoring. These data are associated with skeletal class and facial biotype in order to establish predictive parameters for its effectiveness according to craniofacial morphology., Methods: 22 adult patients (between 38 and 60 years of age) of both sexes (7 women, 15 men) diagnosed with OSAS in the Hospital de Carabineros de Chile (HOSCAR) Neurology Unit were recruited and given the Ocluch © MAD in the hospital's dental clinic, for its use during a three-month period. Patients were assess at the beginning and in the end of this period., Results: 87.5% of patients with mild OSAS achieved the success criterion and normalization; 71.5% of patients with moderate OSAS achieved the success criterion and 33.3% achieved normalization; 85.7% of patients with severe OSAS achieved the success criterion and 57.1% achieved normalization. All class I and mesofacial patients achieved normalization, but class II patients had the greatest proportional improvement., Conclusions: The Ocluch MAD is an efficient low-cost alternative that should be considered among the therapeutic arsenal for a multidisciplinary approach to treating this disease.