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This narrative review aims to update the current evidence and offer insight into the new non-invasive ultrasound techniques used to early identify degenerative vascular changes in subjects with periodontitis and to investigate if these methodologies could be useful to identify subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) dysfunction in periodontitis patients and to monitor changes in CVD risk after periodontal treatment.

The study investigated work ethics practices and employee retention in the manufacturing industries in Lagos, Nigeria with focus on the Nigerian Breweries, Lagos as the unit of analysis. The study identified work ethics practices found operational to include integrity accountability, professionalism, and respectfulness. The corresponding relationship between these work ethics practices and employee retention was also evaluated with the view to providing information on how work ethics practices influence employee retention. The study made use of primary data with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 300 respondents randomly to elicit information from the selected respondents. It was found that integrity as a practice was prevalent among other practices found to be operational in the area of study and also found that there exists a significant positive relationship among all the variables of work ethics practices and employee retention where accountability practice with employee retention (r = 0.546, p 0.05), respectfulness practice with employee retention (r = 0.677, p 0.05), professionalism practice with employee retention (r = 0.658, p 0.05) and integrity practice with employee retention (r = 0.748, p 0.05). it was concluded that work ethics practice is a good cost control strategy to sustain employee retention without incurring additional costs, especially in the wake of economic recession and recovery. Thus, recommended that the management of the Nigerian Breweries should institutionalise work ethics practices and educate employees of the organisation on the essence of the practices.

Purpose: The study investigated the relationship between occupational stress and industrial relations outcomes using the manufacturing organizations in Lagos Metropolis as the unit of analysis. The study identified two dimensions of occupational stress (psychological and physiological stress) and four industrial relations outcomes (quit, absenteeism, industrial actions, and management-employee relations). Methodology: The study made use of multi-sampling techniques for the preservation of the characteristics and status of the respondents and the research questionnaire was administered randomly to the selected sample size of 363 respondents. Findings and implications: It was found that there exists a positive and significant relationship between and among all the variables of occupational stress and industrial relations outcomes with absenteeism as the potent force. It was concluded that occupational stress is dominant and permanent in the selected manufacturing organizations and manifested in the form of absenteeism. Limitations: The study concentrated on the Lagos Metropolis, but further studies can look farther into other geopolitical zones in Nigeria to further expand the frontier of knowledge in the area of study. Originality: The study provides a more comprehensive understanding of occupational stress dimensions on industrial relations outcomes, thus, expanding the existing literature in the area of study.

Mulching is an effective method of manipulating crop growing environment to increase yield. A field experiment was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal College of Forestry Jericho (Ibadan). The study aimed to examine the effect of sawdust mulching on selected soil properties, growth and yield of two tomato varieties. The study was a 4 x 2 factorial experiment laid out in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) with four replications. Factor one consisted of four treatments, namely: T0 (control), T1 (sawdust mulch [SDM] at 10 t ha-1 ), T2 (SDM at 20 t ha -1 ) and T3 (SDM at 30 t ha1 ). The second factor was the two tomato varieties (UC82B and Ibadan local). Plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and branches were collected at a 2-week interval while the number of fruits, fruit weight (kg/ha) and yield parameters were measured at maturity. The Genstat statistical software package was used for data analysis and an LSD test was performed at the 5% level of significance. The sawdust mulch used had a low nitrogen content (0.60%) and a moderate organic carbon content (38.6%). The use of sawdust mulch had a major impact on tomato yield, while there was not any significant variation among the examined tomato varieties. UC82B (117.92 kg ha-1 ) at 30 t ha-1 SDM plot had the highest yield, followed by Ibadan local (103.93 kg ha-1 ) at 30 t ha-1 SDM plot, while Ibadan local (61.94 kg ha-1 ) at the control plot had the lowest yield. In this study, the tomato performed best with sawdust mulch at 30 t ha-1 and is therefore recommended to farmers in the study area to maximize tomato production.

This paper examined the relationships between recruitment and selection practices with business performance in the manufacturing sector using the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Lagos metropolis as the unit of analysis. It identified employee referral, job vacancy advertisement, employment agency and employee promotion as the most commonly used recruitment and selection practices in the manufacturing SMEs’ environment. The study made use of a questionnaire administered to 288 respondents and the results obtained showed that the vacancy advertisement and employment agency have a moderate relationship with business performance while employee promotion has a weak relationship with business performance while employee referral has a negative relationship with business performance. Regression results also indicated a positive relationship between combined recruitment and selection practices and business performance. It was concluded that the management of SMEs should prioritise employment agency among the recruitment and selection practices since it was found to have a more decisive influence on business performance. Thus, having the patronage of the employment agency with sound personnel policies that will be costeffective and outline human resource requirements is recommended.

Purpose — The productivity challenge confronting small businesses in developing countries has been identified among others to include entrepreneurs’ characteristics. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of entrepreneurs’ characteristics on the business productivity of SMEs in Nigeria and anchored on the entrepreneur’s innovativeness, experience, orientation, and risk-taking propensity. Method — It was a cross-sectional study carried out among entrepreneurs of SMEs in Southwest Nigeria using a descriptive research survey design. Respondents were selected using a convenience sampling technique. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected for the study, and descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were adopted for data analysis. The hypotheses formulated were tested using chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. Result — The result of the study revealed that an entrepreneur’s characteristics, such as innovativeness, experiences, orientation, and risk-taking propensity, significantly impact productivity. However, innovativeness and risk-taking were paramount among other entrepreneurial characteristics of SMEs in Nigeria. Contribution — The result validated the works of the earlier scholars in the study area and contributed to expanding literature on how entrepreneurs’ characteristics, especially their innovativeness, experience, orientation, and desire to take risks, can solve small business challenges in developing economies.

Simona Santonocito, Alessandro Polizzi, Giuseppe Palazzo, Francesco Indelicato, Gaetano Isola Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Catania, ItalyCorrespondence: Gaetano IsolaUnit of Periodontology, Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, Catania, 95123, ItalyTel/Fax +390953782453Email gaetano.isola@unict.itAbstract: In the last few decades, growing evidence have shown a possible impact of diet and nutrients on oral health. This review aims to describe, in the light of current knowledge, the role of diet, nutrients, and micronutrients in periodontal health and periodontal diseases. A variety of macronutrients and micronutrients could have an impact on periodontal health. The balanced intake of unprocessed complex carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins positively affects periodontal inflammation. On the other way, refined carbohydrates, non-vegetable proteins, proinflammatory saturated fatty acids and an unbalanced supply of vitamins and minerals may increase periodontal inflammation. This review will discuss the current evidence that shows how a healthy and balanced diet has anti-inflammatory and protective effects on periodontal health. Therefore, it appears that adopting a correct lifestyle and diet should be encouraged in patients with oral and periodontal disease.Keywords: periodontitis, nutrition, diet, macronutrients, micronutrients, oral health

This article assessed community participation in the provision of environmental sanitation infrastructure in Akure, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed for the study. Four residential zones: the traditional core, the transition zone, the peripheral zone and the public housing district were identified, this was with a view to showcasing the variation in the level of contributions and efforts of different communities based on the delineated areas towards the provision of environmental sanitation infrastructure in the study area. Twenty residential areas were identified across the residential zones of the study area out of which ten areas which represented 50% of the total areas were selected. Ten percent of the total number of buildings in the selected areas were subsequently sampled, resulting in the selection of 180 residents for questionnaire administration. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics with frequency used for univariate analysis and cross tabulation for bivariate and multivariate analysis as well as the use of chi-square for inferential statistics. Findings revealed that community participation did not play a leading role in providing environmental sanitation facilities in Akure, but that the government did. This shows that most of the environmental facilities in the area are provided by the government, thus revealing the overdependence of the residents on the government for the provision of environmental sanitation infrastructure. Further findings revealed that most of the challenges faced in the study area in terms of providing environmental sanitation infrastructure had a significant influence on the provision of these facilities. Thus, the study showed that challenges significantly hindered the provision of environmental sanitation facilities in the area.

Daniele Cantarella,1 Gianpaolo Savio,2 Luca Grigolato,2 Paolo Zanata,3 Chiara Berveglieri,4 Antonino Lo Giudice,5,6 Gaetano Isola,5 Massimo Del Fabbro,1 Won Moon7 1Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; 2Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering ICEA, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; 3Private Practice, Castelfranco Veneto, Italy; 4Private Practice of Orthodontics, Bondeno, Italy; 5Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 6Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Section of Orthodontics, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; 7Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Center for Health Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USACorrespondence: Daniele CantarellaDepartment of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Commenda 10, Milan, ItalyEmail danielecant@hotmail.comIntroduction: Miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) appliances utilize the skeletal anchorage to expand the maxilla. One type of MARPE device is the Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE), which presents four micro-implants with bicortical engagement of the palatal vault and nasal floor. MSE positioning is traditionally planned using dental stone models and 2D headfilms. This approach presents some critical issues, such as the inability to identify the MSE position relative to skeletal structures, and the potential risk of damaging anatomical structures.Methods: A novel methodology has been developed to plan MSE position using the digital model of dental arches and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A virtual model of MSE appliance with the four micro-implants was created. After virtual planning, a positioning guide is virtually designed, 3D printed, and utilized to model and weld the MSE supporting arms to the molar bands. The expansion device is then cemented in the patient oral cavity and micro-implants inserted. A clinical case of a 12.9-year-old female patient presenting a Class III malocclusion with transverse and sagittal maxillary deficiency is reported.Results: The midpalatal suture was opened with a split of 3.06 mm and 2.8 mm at the anterior and posterior nasal spine, respectively. After facemask therapy, the sagittal skeletal relationship was improved, as shown by the increase in ANB, A-Na perpendicular and Wits cephalometric parameters, and the mandibular plane rotated 1.6° clockwise.Conclusion: The proposed digital methodology represents an advancement in the planning of MSE positioning, compared to the traditional approach. By evaluating the bone morphology of the palate and midface on patient CBCT, the placement of MSE is improved regarding the biomechanics of maxillary expansion and the bone thickness at micro-implants insertion sites. In the present case report, the digital planning was associated with a positive outcome of maxillary expansion and protraction in safety conditions.Keywords: miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion, MARPE, CBCT, MSE, virtual planning, cephalometrics-based digital planning, CBDP, workflow, TAD

Marianne B Ariganello,1,* Dainelys Guadarrama Bello,1,* Alejandra Rodriguez-Contreras,1 Shayan Sadeghi,1 Gaetano Isola,1 Fabio Variola,2,3 Antonio Nanci1,4 1Laboratory for the Study of Calcified Tissues and Biomaterials, Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; 2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; 3Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Nanoscale surface modifications are widely touted to improve the biocompatibility of medically relevant materials. Immune cells, such as macrophages, play a critical role in the initial healing events following implantation. Methods: To understand the response of macrophages to nanotopography better, we exposed U937-derived macrophages to a distinctive mesoporous titanium surface (TiNano) produced by a process of simple chemical nanocavitation, and to mechanically polished titanium (TiPolished) and glass coverslip (Glass) surfaces as controls. Cell numbers and morphology were evaluated. Osteopontin expression and that of the proinflammatory SPARC protein and its stabilin 1 receptor were analyzed. Release of inflammation-associated cytokines and chemokines was also measured. Results: Compared to the two control surfaces, there were fewer U937 cells on TiNano, and these exhibited a more rounded morphology with long filopodia. The cells showed areas of punctate actin distribution, indicating formation of podosomes. Of the three proteins examined, only osteopontin’s immunofluorescence signal was clearly reduced. Irrespective of the substrate, the cytokine assay revealed important variations in expression levels of the multiple molecules analyzed and downregulation in a number of chemokines by the TiNano surface. Conclusion: These results indicate that macrophages sense and respond to the physicochemical cueing generated by the nanocavitated surface, triggering cellular and molecular changes consistent with lesser inflammatory propensity. Given the previously reported beneficial outcome of this mesoporous surface on osteogenic activity, it could be presumed that modulation of the macrophagic response it elicits may also contribute to initial bone-integration events. Keywords: nanotopography, inflammation, osteopontin, SPARC, stabilin 1, cytokines

This study examined the nexus between urbanization and energy crisis in Lagos State using questionnaire to elicit information from one hundred randomly selected Lagos residents in Akoka and Onike areas. The study identified the energy supply gap within the Lagos metropolis and found that the energy requirement in the state for industrial, commercial, and domestic needs is not met by supply. It was observed that urbanisation is the root cause of energy crisis in the state and generators provides the main coping strategy for residents. It is therefore recommended that Lagos state should be allowed to generate its own electricity and distribute appropriately among the residents as against the current practice of contributing its generated power to the national grid.

Background & Aims: The concept of enteric glia as regulators of intestinal homeostasis is slowly gaining acceptance as a central concept in neurogastroenterology. Yet how glia contribute to intestinal disease is still poorly understood. Purines generated during inflammation drive enteric neuron death by activating neuronal P2X7 purine receptors (P2X7R); triggering adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release via neuronal pannexin-1 channels that subsequently recruits intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in surrounding enteric glia. We tested the hypothesis that the activation of enteric glia contributes to neuron death during inflammation. Methods: We studied neuroinflammation in vivo using the 2,4-dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid model of colitis and in situ using whole-mount preparations of human and mouse intestine. Transgenic mice with a targeted deletion of glial connexin-43 (Cx43) [GFAP::CreERT2+/â/Cx43f/f] were used to specifically disrupt glial signaling pathways. Mice deficient in inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOSâ/â) were used to study NO production. Protein expression and oxidative stress were measured using immunohistochemistry and in situ Ca2+ and NO imaging were used to monitor glial [Ca2+]i and [NO]i. Results: Purinergic activation of enteric glia drove [Ca2+]i responses and enteric neuron death through a Cx43-dependent mechanism. Neurotoxic Cx43 activity, driven by NO production from glial iNOS, was required for neuron death. Glial Cx43 opening liberated ATP and Cx43-dependent ATP release was potentiated by NO. Conclusions: Our results show that the activation of glial cells in the context of neuroinflammation kills enteric neurons. Mediators of inflammation that include ATP and NO activate neurotoxic pathways that converge on glial Cx43 hemichannels. The glial response to inflammatory mediators might contribute to the development of motility disorders. Keywords: Enteric Nervous System, Hemichannels, Oxidative Stress, Purines