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Objective Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral condition, characterised by burning symptoms, which mainly affects perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Neuropathy might be the underlying cause of the condition. There are still insufficient data regarding successful therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture and clonazepam. Methods Forty-two patients with BMS (38 women, 4 men) aged 66.7±12.0 years were randomly divided into two groups. Acupuncture was performed on 20 participants over 4 weeks, 3 times per week, on points ST8, GB2, TE21, SI19, SI18 and LI4 bilaterally as well as GV20 in the midline, each session lasting half an hour. Twenty-two patients took clonazepam once a day (0.5 mg in the morning) for 2 weeks and, after 2 weeks, two tablets (0.5 mg in the morning and in the evening) were taken for the next 2 weeks. Prior to and 1 month after either therapy, participants completed questionnaires: visual analogue scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale, 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Results There were significant improvements in the scores of all outcome measures after treatment with both acupuncture and clonazepam, except for MoCA. There were no significant differences between the two therapeutic regimens regarding the scores of the performed tests. Conclusions Acupuncture and clonazepam are similarly effective for patients with BMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging requirements for fresh bakery goods are often minimal as many of the products are for immediate consumption. However, packaging can be an important factor in extending the shelf life of other cereal-based goods (toast, frozen products, biscuits, cakes, pastas). Some amount of the texture changes and flavor loss manifest over the shelf life of a soft-baked good can usually be minimized or delayed by effective use of packaging materials. The gains in the extension of shelf life will be application specific. It is recognized that defining the shelf life of a food is a difficult task and is an area of intense research for food product development scientists (food technologists, microbiologists, packaging experts). Proper application of chemical kinetic principles to food quality loss allows for efficiently designing appropriate shelf-life tests and maximizing the useful information that can be obtained from the resulting data. In the development of any new food product including reformulating, change of packaging, or storage/distribution condition (to penetrate into a new market), one important aspect is the knowledge of shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain a high protein bread, wheat flour was enriched with defatted soybean flour (DSF) by adding a 30 or 40% (w/w flour) extruded blend of corn meal (CM) and DSF prepared in two ratios (w/w): 75% CM/25% DSF (blend 1) and 62.5% CM/37.5% DSF (blend 2). All bread samples had high protein content (>14 g/100 g dry matter), high protein digestibility in vitro (>93%) and a significantly improved amino acid composition and lysine score. The best nutritional value and sensory quality were obtained by adding 30% of blend 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Corneal ectasia is a sight-threatening complication of corneal refractive surgery characterized by progressive steepening and thinning of the cornea and subsequent loss of best-corrected visual acuity., Objective: To report the clinical outcomes following treatment of post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) induced ectasia., Methods: This is a retrospective case series of 7 patients (10 eyes) which developed post-LASIK ectasia. In these cases of postoperative ectasia, the presented clinical signs were either forme fruste keratoconus, thin cornea, posterior elevation map value > +15.0µm, or residual stromal bed < 300µm. All cases were treated with either collagen crosslinking (CXL) alone or combined with PRK or CXL and phakic intraocular implant using the Dresden protocol and a slight modification thereof. In all cases, the flap was created using the Moria M2 mechanical microkeratome (average flap thickness 118.15±12.88µm), and refractive error was corrected using the Wavelight Allegretto excimer laser., Results: Average preoperative corrected visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.75 (±0.26) Snellen. Postoperative CDVA significantly increased to 0.86 (±0.13) Snellen (p=0.04, paired t-test). One eye lost three lines of its baseline CDVA (before ectasia), while all other eyes regained lines of CDVA. All cases remained stable during the follow-up., Conclusion: Several surgical procedures are used for the management of corneal ectasia. However, the best surgical approach should be determined based on the state of progression of the disease. Although ectasia remains a potentially devastating complication after refractive surgery, most patients can regain functional visual acuity with appropriate management, and corneal transplantation is infrequently indicated., Competing Interests: Bone declared., (© 2023 Maja Bohac, Alma Biscevic, Melisa Ahmedbegovic-Pjano, Mateja Jagic, Doria Gabric, Selma Lukacevic, Ivana Mravicic.)

Objectives: To assess whether implant macrodesign parameters interacting with implant time in function (Tf) could influence the peri-implantitis occurrence., Materials and Methods: One hundred and two patients (55.17 ± 11.2 years old) with diagnosed early/moderate peri-implantitis around endosseous implants with implant-supported prosthetics reconstruction (n = 139) were recruited. Implant macrodesign (implant shape, thread number, implant collar), clinical parameters (peri-implant probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinised tissue width (KTW), plaque index, bleeding on probe), implant placement localisation and region, and Tf were assessed and compared., Results: Peri-implantitis occurred approximately 6.1 ± 3.38 years after implant loading. There was a significant positive correlation between the implant macrodesign and Tf. Peri-implantitis rates were statistically significantly higher in implants with a cylindric shape and triple-thread in the posterior part of the mandible (p = 0.037 and 0.012, respectively). The thread number and implant shape interacting with Tf showed statistically significant influences on CAL and PPD increase (p < 0.05). Results indicated a statistically positive interaction between Tf and KTW decrease around the implants with microthreaded collar (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Peri-implantitis might be presented as a time-dependent disease. Implant-based factors, such as Tf and implant macrodesign, could influence peri-implantitis occurrence, exacerbate clinical parameters, and promote progressive bone loss., Clinical Relevance: Peri-implantitis can be affected by implant macrodesign and Tf. The implant body shape, thread number, and design of the implant collar may be considered peri-implantitis-related risk indicators that should be taken into account in proper implant planning and therapy., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A new category of commercial bulk fill composite resins (CRs) enables the placement of 4-mm-thick layers as an alternative to the traditional time-consuming incremental technique. The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficiency of the polymerization, adaptation and porosity of two high-viscosity 'sculptable' bulk fill CRs (Filtek™ Bulk Fill (3M™ ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) and Tetric EvoCeram ® Bulk Fill (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schwan, Liechtenstein)) and two low-viscosity 'flowable' bulk fill CRs (SureFil ® SDR™ flow (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) and Tetric EvoFlow ® Bulk Fill (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein)). Cylindrical samples of the bulk fill CRs (4 mm height × 10 mm diameter) were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Additionally, occlusal cavities were prepared in twelve extracted human molars and restored with the bulk fill CRs ( n = 3 for each CR). The adaptation and porosity of the bulk fill CRs were evaluated by X-ray microcomputed tomography (µCT) with a 3D morphometric analysis, and the adaptation was also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on longitudinal vestibulo-oral sections of the restored teeth. The AFM analysis demonstrated that the surface roughness of the SureFil ® SDR™ flow was higher than that of the Tetric EvoFlow ® Bulk Fill and that the surface roughness of Filtek™ Bulk Fill was higher than that of Tetric EvoCeram ® Bulk Fill. µCT and SEM confirmed that the flowable bulk fill CRs had excellent adaptation to the cavity walls. The 3D morphometric analysis showed the highest and lowest degrees of porosity in Filtek™ Bulk Fill and Tetric EvoFlow ® Bulk Fill, respectively. In general, the flowable bulk fill CRs exhibited better adaptation, a higher efficiency of polymerization and lower porosity than the sculptable materials.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the addition of benzalkonium chloride and cetylpyridinium chloride in three commercial root canal sealers., Materials and Methods: Three different root canal sealers were used: EndoRez, N2, and Apexit Plus. The samples were prepared by mixing the components according to the manufacturers' guidelines and adding 2% in weight of the antimicrobials to the newly mixed cement. The paste was placed in molds and stored in an incubator (37°C, 24 h). The samples were then stored in 5-mL distilled water. Samples without antimicrobials served as a control. All samples were tested at 3 time intervals: 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month following their storage in distilled water. The impact of the antimicrobials on the solubility of the sealers, the release of chloride ions (Cl - ), and the pH value were examined., Statistical Analysis: Analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance and the post hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference test., Results: Chloride ions are present in storage media with EndoRez, N2, and Apexit Plus samples (without antimicrobials) following all tested storage intervals. The addition of the antimicrobials increased the release of chloride ions. Endodontic cements without addition of antimicrobials show an increase in weight after 1 month. The highest pH value is measured in Apexit Plus samples. The solutions in which N2 samples (with and without addition of antimicrobials) were stored did not have a significant change in their pH, while in the EndoRez solutions, a significant decrease in the pH value after the first week was measured., Conclusions: The addition of antimicrobials might lead to improved characteristics of the root canal sealers., Competing Interests: None declared., (Dental Investigation Society.)

The worldwide annual incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is over 300,000 cases with a mortality rate of 48%. This cancer type accounts for 90% of all oral cancers, with the highest incidence in men over 50 years of age. A significantly increased risk of developing OSCC exists among smokers and people who consume alcohol daily. OSCC is an aggressive cancer that metastasizes rapidly. Despite the development of new therapies in the treatment of OSCC, no significant increase in 5-year survival has been recorded in the past decades. The latest research suggests focus should be put on examining tumor stroma activation within OSCC, as the stroma may contain cells that can produce signal molecules and a microenvironment crucial for the development of metastases. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into the factors that activate OSCC stroma and hence faciliate neoplastic progression. It is based on the currently available data on the role and interaction between metalloproteinases, cytokines, growth factors, hypoxia factor and extracellular adhesion proteins in the stroma of OSCC and neoplastic cells. Their interplay is additionally presented using the Systems Biology Graphical Notation in order to sublimate the collected knowledge and enable the more efficient recognition of possible new biomarkers in the diagnostics and follow-up of OSCC or in finding new therapeutic targets.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of professional tooth whitening agents containing highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (with and without laser activation), on the enamel surface; and the potential of four different toothpastes to remineralize any alterations. The study was performed on 50 human molars, divided in two groups: treated with Opalescence(®) Boost and Mirawhite(®) Laser Bleaching. Furthermore, each group was divided into five subgroups, a control one and 4 subgroups remineralized with: Mirasensitive(®) hap+, Mirawhite(®) Gelleѐ, GC Tooth Mousse™ and Mirafluor(®) C. The samples were analysed by SEM/3D-SEM-micrographs, SEM/EDX-qualitative analysis and SEM/EDX-semiquantitative analysis. The microphotographs show that both types of bleaching cause alterations: emphasized perikymata, erosions, loss of interprizmatic substance; the laser treatment is more aggressive and loss of integrity of the enamel is determined by shearing off the enamel rods. In all samples undergoing remineralization deposits were observed, those of toothpastes based on calcium phosphate technologies seem to merge with each other and cover almost the entire surface of the enamel. Loss of integrity and minerals were detected only in the line-scans of the sample remineralized with GC Tooth Mousse™. The semiquantitative EDX analysis of individual elements in the surface layer of the enamel indicates that during tooth-bleaching with HP statistically significant loss of Na and Mg occurs, whereas the bleaching in combination with a laser leads to statistically significant loss of Ca and P. The results undoubtedly confirm that teeth whitening procedures lead to enamel alterations. In this context, it must be noted that laser bleaching is more aggressive for dental substances. However, these changes are reversible and can be repaired by application of remineralization toothpastes., (© 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.)

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare the dentin ablation volume and ablation rate of quantum square pulse (QSP), using two different pulse energy settings plus a new digitally controlled dental laser handpiece (X-Runner), with those of variable square pulse (VSP), using three different pulse durations. The secondary objective was to examine, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface effects of ablation with the different Er:YAG laser modes on the dentin surfaces., Background Data: The available literature has limited data on the efficiency of different operating modes, pulse durations, and the new digitally controlled handpiece of the Er:YAG laser on human dentin., Materials and Methods: Freshly extracted human molars (n = 72) were divided into two experimental groups (n = 36 each): (1) QSP group, and (2) VSP group. Each group was randomly divided into three subgroups (n = 12 each). In the QSP group, preparations in dentin were performed using 250 and 500 mJ of pulse energy with the conventional handpiece, and with the X-Runner handpiece set at 250 mJ pulse energy. In the VSP group, cavity preparations were performed using three pulse variables: super short pulse (SSP), micro short pulse (MSP), and short pulse (SP). Cavity preparations were made in dentin at time intervals of 1, 2, and 5 sec. A laser triangulation profilometer was used to determine cavity volumes. Surface analysis of the ablated dentin specimens was performed by SEM., Results: For time intervals of 1 and 2 sec, ablated volume and ablation rate for QSP-500 mJ were significantly higher than for all other groups (p < 0.0001). For the 5-sec time interval, X-Runner and QSP-500 mJ were the most efficient in dentin ablation (p < 0.0001). Dentin surfaces were free of smear layer in all groups., Conclusions: The most efficient modes of dentin ablation in the study were the QSP-500 mJ and X-Runner groups. Dentin surfaces were free of smear layer in all groups.

Over-the-counter products rarely cause unwanted reactions in the oral cavity. Oral reactions to these agents are not specific and might present with various clinical oral findings. Detailed medical history is a key to the proper diagnosis of these lesions and fortunately other diagnostic procedures are rarely needed. Lesions are usually managed with elimination of the offending agent and with topical steroids. In more severe cases systemic steroids should be applied.

Single visit reconstruction of the fractured crown can be completed with composite resins if there is no bleeding due to the soft tissue injury. Clinical inspection revealed a complex crown fracture of the central incisor as well as a simple horizontal fracture of the lateral incisor crown of the enamel-dentin type. Vertical fracture separated the palatal enamel wall from the rest of the lateral incisor crown. After the completion of the endodontic sanitation, root canals were prepared for prefabricated composite posts and crown reconstructions were performed with the Finger Tip Technique by using composite resin materials. The advantage of this kind of reconstruction is preservation of the hard dental crown tissue removed in case of prosthetic therapy, especially in younger patients. Reconstruction can be finished in one visit, without the need for a dental technician and laboratory.

A 0.2-kb DNA sequence specific to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the causative organism of Johne's disease, was isolated from a partial genomic library. The sequence was part of a larger repetitive DNA element and was present in strains of M. paratuberculosis from cattle, sheep, goat, deer and also a woman with Crohn's disease but not in M. paratuberculosis strain 18. The sequence was not present in strains of 19 other mycobacterial species including 31 reference serotype strains of the M. avium-M. intracellular-M. scrofulaceum (MAIS) complex, some strains of which are closely related to M. paratuberculosis. The sequence may be useful for developing a diagnostic test for Johne's disease.