Comparison of the different retention appliances produced using CAD/CAM and conventional methods and different surface roughening methods

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to conduct an in vitro comparison of the shear bond strength, breakage mode, and wire deformation of three different types of retainers and to compare the subsequent enamel surface changes. Two hundred seventy intact lower incisor teeth were embedded in acrylic blocks in pairs. Dead wire and CAD/CAM-fabricated and fiber-reinforced wires were applied to the teeth roughened with acid and Er:YAG or Er,Cr:YSGG laser. The surface roughness was observed by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The samples were analyzed for shear bonds. The dead wire and acid group were found to have the highest bonding strength and the strengths for all groups in which acid was used as an agent were found to be higher than others. Deformation of retainers was most noted in the dead wire-acid group. Among all the groups, the CAD/CAM-fabricated wire group showed the least deformation, with no deformation observed. In this study, it was determined that there is a significant correlation between ARI scores and agents. Consequently, acid etching was found to create more enamel surface roughness than laser groups. It was also seen that the combined use of the acid method and dead soft wire had the highest bond strength, even though it was not statistically significant. It was concluded that CAD/CAM-fabricated wire provides the opportunity for reuse in clinical applications due to its lack of deformation, being more conservative for the patient, and being more advantageous for the clinician in terms of session time, considering the residual adhesive amount left on the enamel surface.

https://ift.tt/2OLIuyc

In situ phytoremediation characterization of heavy metals promoted by Hydrocotyle ranunculoides at Santa Bárbara stream, an anthropogenic polluted site in southern of Brazil

Abstract

Aquatic environments are widely affected by anthropogenic activities and efficient remediation of these areas requires detailed studies for each natural ecosystem. This research aimed to evaluate the natural phytoremediation potential of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L., a floating aquatic macrophyte located in a polluted aquatic environment in South of the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Nutrients such as P, K, Ca, Mg, and S and heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Na, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, As, Co, and V content in the roots and shoots of the plants were evaluated through nitric perchloric acid digestion (HNO₃-HClO₄) methods and quantified by ICP-OES. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), plant effective number (PEN), and potential phytoremoval (mg m⁻²) were carried out. H. ranunculoides showed a substantial ability for phytoextracting P, Na, and As, since showed ability of uptake these elements from the water and translocate them to the shoots of the plants. H. ranunculoides also showed potential for application in rhizofiltration of Mg, S, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Al, and V, since exhibited high potential to uptake higher levels in the roots. The highest potential for bioremoval (mg m⁻²) of the H. ranunculoides was detected for K, Ca, P (recommending thus the use for phytoextraction), Fe, and Al (highly recommended for rhizofiltration). Therefore, this species under study showed high potential for in situ phytoremediation at Santa Bárbara stream, and as a widespread species, it might be tested for phytoremediation in other sites.

https://ift.tt/2OLCRA4

The way forward confronting eco-environmental challenges during land-use practices: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

With rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, land-use practice, while satisfying the ever-increasing desires of our material civilisation in the short term, may undermine natural ecosystems on a local, regional and global scale in the long run. Innovative and sustainable land-use practices should be developed in response, so that eco-environmental problems can assessed and dealt with during the whole process of land-use planning, construction, operation, maintenance and management. Using a bibliometric analysis, this study has traced global trends in land-use research from 1992 to 2016, as indexed in the Science Citation Index EXPANDED (SCI-EXPANDED) and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). A novel method called 'word cluster analysis' has revealed that hotspot analysis is one of the emerging techniques, tools and strategies used to respond to, improve, and protect deteriorating ecosystems during land use. Based on involving various elements, the emerging analytical techniques and tools, including geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, have attracted attention for their ability to assess and solve increasingly serious eco-environmental problems, such as climate change, deforestation, soil erosion, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eutrophication. Ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, protected areas, and sustainable development are also potential resilience strategies used to confront eco-environmental destruction. The maximum benefits that can be derived from natural ecosystems should be pursued to achieve environmentally sustainable land-use development, strengthening the socio-economy and eco-environment, as well as enhancing the well-being of people and nature.

https://ift.tt/2AKvFkL

Cell Type and Species-specific Patterns in Neuronal and Non-neuronal Methylomes of Human and Chimpanzee Cortices

Abstract

Epigenetic changes have likely contributed to the large size and enhanced cognitive abilities of the human brain which evolved within the last 2 million years after the human–chimpanzee split. Using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, we have compared the methylomes of neuronal and non-neuronal cells from 3 human and 3 chimpanzee cortices. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) with genome-wide significance were enriched in specific genomic regions. Intraspecific methylation differences between neuronal and non-neuronal cells were approximately 3 times more abundant than interspecific methylation differences between human and chimpanzee cell types. The vast majority (>90%) of human intraspecific DMRs (including DMRs in retrotransposons) were hypomethylated in neurons, compared with glia. Intraspecific DMRs were enriched in genes associated with different neuropsychiatric disorders. Interspecific DMRs were enriched in genes showing human-specific brain histone modifications. Human–chimpanzee methylation differences were much more frequent in non-neuronal cells (n. DMRs = 666) than in neurons (n. DMRs = 96). More than 95% of interspecific DMRs in glia were hypermethylated in humans. Although without an outgroup we cannot assign whether a change in methylation occurred in the human or chimpanzee lineage, our results are consistent with a wave of methylation affecting several hundred non-neuronal genes during human brain evolution.

https://ift.tt/2LTbq9A

Indocyanine Green Lymphangiography as an Adjunct for the Optimal Identification and Management of Lymphatic Leaks in the Groin

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667131

Background The treatment of lymphatic leaks and lymphoceles in the groin can be challenging with no optimal management determined to date. We postulate that indocyanine green (ICG) lymphangiography improves visualization of the site of a lymphatic leak and can optimize their management. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all cases in which ICG lymphangiography was used in the management of lymphatic leaks in the groin over an 18-month span. The inciting surgical procedure resulting in the leak was determined. Following thorough debridement, ICG was injected intradermally in the distal extremity and the site of the lymphatic leak was documented (superficial or deep) and oversewn. Outcomes were reported with regard to healing, infection, time to drain removal, and adjunctive procedures. Results Fifteen patients underwent ICG lymphangiography during the surgical treatment of a lymphatic leak in the groin during the study period. In all cases, the site of the lymphatic leak was accurately identified and oversewn. In eight cases, the site of the lymphatic leak was in the subcutaneous tissue superficial to the femoral vessels rather than medial to the femoral vessels in the area of the lymph node basin. A local muscle flap was used in 10 cases simultaneously. All wounds healed primarily without an associated wound or infection. Conclusion ICG lymphangiography facilitated the identification of lymphatic leaks in the groin and optimized their management in these challenging cases, many of which may have been missed if the area around the inguinal lymph node basin was treated exclusively.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

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Genital Sensibility in the Neophallus: Getting a Sense of the Current Literature and Techniques

J reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1667360

Introduction Phalloplasty attempts to achieve a functional and aesthetic phallus. Sensation is a key component for sexual pleasure. Sensation is also important for protection in the setting of penile implant insertion. Little data are available on genital sensibility outcomes after phalloplasty, and there are no standardized approaches for assessment of either sensibility or erogenous perception. Methods A literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases was conducted with terms related to genital sensibility after phalloplasty. Data on patient demographics, nerves used for coaptation, and measurements of genital sensibility were collected. Pooled event rates were determined for recovered glans sensibility and recovered erogenous sensation using a Freeman–Tukey arcsine transformation. Results A total of 341 articles were identified of which 26 met the inclusion criteria for final analysis. The dorsal cutaneous branch of the pudendal nerve and ilioinguinal were the most common donor nerves. The lateral and medial antebrachial cutaneous and lateral femoral cutaneous were the most common recipient nerves. Pooled event rates suggest that some recovered glans sensibility occurs in more than 70% of cismale patients and in more than 90% of transmale patients. Recovered "erogenous" sensation occurs in more than 75% of cismale patients and more than 95% of transmale patients. In cismale patients, outcomes of recovered glans sensibility and erogenous sensation may be better for upper extremity recipient nerves than lower extremity recipient nerves. Conclusions Based on the limited data in current literature on genital sensibility after phalloplasty, it is difficult to draw evidence-based conclusions. Yet data support improved outcomes with innervation. A validated outcome measure of "erogenous sensation" and a standardized approach to measuring cutaneous sensibility are required.
[...]

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Article in Thieme eJournals:
Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

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Remarkable geographical variations between India and Europe in carriage of the staphylococcal surface protein encoding sasX/sesI and in the population structure of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus belonging to clonal complex 8.

Remarkable geographical variations between India and Europe in carriage of the staphylococcal surface protein encoding sasX/sesI and in the population structure of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus belonging to clonal complex 8.

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018 Aug 01;:

Authors: De Backer S, Xavier BB, Vanjari L, Coppens J, Lammens C, Vemu L, Carevic B, Hryniewicz W, Jorens P, Kumar-Singh S, Lee A, Harbarth S, Schrenzel J, Tacconelli E, Goossens H, Malhotra-Kumar S

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: SasX is a colonization-virulence factor that potentially underlies the success of MRSA-ST239 in Asia. We aimed to study the spread of sasX and the population structure of MRSA in two geographically distinct regions, Europe and India.
METHODS: MRSA (n=128) from screening and clinical samples from tertiary care patients in 12 European countries (n=119), and from India (n=9) were multilocus-sequence-typed and screened for sasX and its carrier φSPβ-like prophage by PCR. Whole genome sequencing was performed on sasX-harbouring strains from India (n=5) and Europe (n=2) and on a selection non-harbouring sasX (n=36) (2X150bp, Miseq, Illumina). Reads were mapped to the ST239 reference strain, TW20.
RESULTS: SasX and sesI, a sasX homologue native to S. epidermidis, were detected in 5/9 Indian MRSA belonging to ST239 and to other ST types of CC8. In contrast, sasX was restricted to 2 ST239 strains in Europe. The intact sasX and sesI carrier φSPβ-like prophages were ∼80 kb and ∼118 kb, and integrated in the yeeE gene. We identified 'novel' ST239 clades in India and Serbia that showed significant differences in base substitution frequencies (0.130 and 0.007, respectively, Tamura-Nei model) (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight dissemination of sasX to non-ST239 STs of CC8. Detection of the S. epidermidis-associated sesI in MRSA provided unquestionable evidence of transfer between the two species. Stark differences in evolutionary rates between the novel Indian and Serbian ST239 clades identified here might be due to inherent clade characteristics or influenced by other environmental differences such as antibiotic use.

PMID: 30076977 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2ncgyqw

Effect of Hochuekkito (Buzhongyiqitang) on Nasal Cavity Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Murine Model.

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Effect of Hochuekkito (Buzhongyiqitang) on Nasal Cavity Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Murine Model.

Medicines (Basel). 2018 Aug 01;5(3):

Authors: Minami M, Konishi T, Makino T

Abstract
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are largely preceded by colonization with MRSA. Hochuekkito is the formula composing 10 herbal medicines in traditional Kampo medicine to treat infirmity and to stimulate immune functions. We evaluated the efficacy of hochuekkito extract (HET) against MRSA colonization using a nasal infection murine model. Methods: We evaluated the effects of HET as follows: (1) the growth inhibition by measuring turbidity of bacterial culture in vitro, (2) the nasal colonization of MRSA by measuring bacterial counts, and (3) the splenocyte proliferation in mice orally treated with HET by the ³H-thymidine uptake assay. Results: HET significant inhibited the growth of MRSA. The colony forming unit (CFU) in the nasal fluid of HET-treated mice was significantly lower than that of HET-untreated mice. When each single crude drug-Astragali radix, Bupleuri radix, Zingiberis rhizoma, and Cimicifugae rhizome-was removed from hochuekkito formula, the effect of the formula significantly weakened. The uptake of ³H-thymidine into murine splenocytes treated with HET was significantly higher than that from untreated mice. The effects of the modified formula described above were also significantly weaker than those of the original formula. Conclusions: Hochuekkito is effective for the treatment of MRSA nasal colonization in the murine model. We suggest HET as the therapeutic candidate for effective therapy on nasal cavity colonization of MRSA in humans.

PMID: 30071688 [PubMed]

https://ift.tt/2vDmaOu

Unveiling the fate of adhering bacteria to antimicrobial surfaces: expression of resistance-associated genes and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis.

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Unveiling the fate of adhering bacteria to antimicrobial surfaces: expression of resistance-associated genes and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis.

Acta Biomater. 2018 Jul 30;:

Authors: Alves DF, Magalhães AP, Neubauer D, Bauer M, Kamysz W, Pereira MO

Abstract
Since most antibacterial coatings reported to fight biomaterial-associated infections (BAI) fail in completely preventing bacterial colonization, it is crucial to know the impact of that small fraction of adhered bacteria in BAI recrudescence. This study aims to understand the fate of Staphylococcus aureus able to adhere to an antimicrobial coating previously developed, in terms of potential development of bacterial resistance and their macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. Antimicrobial coating comprised the co-immobilization of Palm peptide and DNase I onto polydimethylsiloxane. Expression of genes associated to resistance and virulence mechanisms showed that cells in contact with antimicrobial surfaces for a long period of 30 days, exhibit genes equally or less expressed, as compared to cells recovered from control surfaces. Recovered cells also exhibit the same susceptibility patterns, which strengthens the evidence of no resistance development. Remarkably, cells adhered to modified surfaces shows a reduced metabolic activity upon vancomycin treatment unlike the cells found on control surfaces, which can be identified as a clinical opportunity for prophylactically administration after implant surgery. Furthermore, results highlight that functionalization of PDMS with Palm and DNase I should not compromise the action of host immune cells. The overall results reinforce the potential of this antimicrobial strategy to fight BAI.

PMID: 30071350 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2nbG5QL

Temporal Variation of Staphylococcus aureus clonal complexes in Atopic Dermatitis - a follow up study.

Related Articles

Temporal Variation of Staphylococcus aureus clonal complexes in Atopic Dermatitis - a follow up study.

Br J Dermatol. 2018 Aug 02;:

Authors: Clausen ML, Edslev SM, Nørreslet LB, Sørensen JA, Andersen PS, Agner T

Abstract
BACKGROUND: A strong link between disease severity and S. aureus colonization of the skin has been reported in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). In the present study, temporal variations in S. aureus colonization and S. aureus CC-type in AD patients are examined, and linked to disease severity, skin barrier properties and filaggrin (FLG) gene mutations.
METHODS: A follow-up study of a cohort of 101 adult AD patients recruited from an outpatient clinic. Bacterial swabs were taken at baseline and at follow-up from lesional skin, non-lesional skin and nose. Swabs positive for S. aureus were characterized by spa and the respective clonal complex (CC) type assigned. Patients were characterized with respect to disease severity (SCORAD), skin barrier properties (TEWL, pH) and FLG gene mutations.
RESULTS: A total of 63 patients participated in a follow-up visit. Twenty-seven patients (42.9%) were colonized at both visits, 27 were colonized only at one visit and 9 patients (14.3%) were not colonized at either visit. Of patients colonized at both visits a total of 51.9% remained colonized with the same CC-type at follow-up. Change in CC-type was related to an increase in SCORAD of 10.7 points compared to patients who carried the same CC-type who had a reduction in SCORAD of 4.4 points. Significantly higher skin pH was found in patients colonized at both visits, while change in CC-type was not related to TEWL, pH or FLG gene mutations.
CONCLUSION: Data indicates that temporal variation in S. aureus CC-type is linked to flares of the disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 30070683 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2vCiIDD

Increasing tolerance of hospital Enterococcus faecium to handwash alcohols.

Related Articles

Increasing tolerance of hospital Enterococcus faecium to handwash alcohols.

Sci Transl Med. 2018 Aug 01;10(452):

Authors: Pidot SJ, Gao W, Buultjens AH, Monk IR, Guerillot R, Carter GP, Lee JYH, Lam MMC, Grayson ML, Ballard SA, Mahony AA, Grabsch EA, Kotsanas D, Korman TM, Coombs GW, Robinson JO, Gonçalves da Silva A, Seemann T, Howden BP, Johnson PDR, Stinear TP

Abstract
Alcohol-based disinfectants and particularly hand rubs are a key way to control hospital infections worldwide. Such disinfectants restrict transmission of pathogens, such as multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium Despite this success, health care infections caused by E. faecium are increasing. We tested alcohol tolerance of 139 hospital isolates of E. faecium obtained between 1997 and 2015 and found that E. faecium isolates after 2010 were 10-fold more tolerant to killing by alcohol than were older isolates. Using a mouse gut colonization model of E. faecium transmission, we showed that alcohol-tolerant E. faecium resisted standard 70% isopropanol surface disinfection, resulting in greater mouse gut colonization compared to alcohol-sensitive E. faecium We next looked for bacterial genomic signatures of adaptation. Alcohol-tolerant E. faecium accumulated mutations in genes involved in carbohydrate uptake and metabolism. Mutagenesis confirmed the roles of these genes in the tolerance of E. faecium to isopropanol. These findings suggest that bacterial adaptation is complicating infection control recommendations, necessitating additional procedures to prevent E. faecium from spreading in hospital settings.

PMID: 30068573 [PubMed - in process]

https://ift.tt/2KpUJgp

Enhanced disinfection leads to reduction of microbial contamination and a decrease in patient colonization and infection.

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Enhanced disinfection leads to reduction of microbial contamination and a decrease in patient colonization and infection.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2018 Jul 31;:1-4

Authors: Rutala WA, Kanamori H, Gergen MF, Knelson LP, Sickbert-Bennett EE, Chen LF, Anderson DJ, Sexton DJ, Weber DJ, and the CDC Prevention Epicenters Program

Abstract
In this prospective study, we monitored 4 epidemiologically important pathogens (EIPs): methicillin-resistane Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), Clostridium difficile, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter to assess the effectiveness of 3 enhanced disinfection strategies for terminal room disinfection against standard practice. Our data demonstrated that a decrease in room contamination with EIPs of 94% was associated with a 35% decrease in subsequent patient colonization and/or infection.

PMID: 30060770 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2vzaFaA

Staphylococcus aureus colonization and non-influenza respiratory viruses: interactions and synergism mechanisms.

Related Articles

Staphylococcus aureus colonization and non-influenza respiratory viruses: interactions and synergism mechanisms.

Virulence. 2018 Jul 30;:

Authors: Morgene MF, Botelho-Nevers E, Grattard F, Pillet S, Berthelot P, Pozzetto B, Verhoeven PO

Abstract
Viral infections of the respiratory tract can be complicated by bacterial superinfection, resulting in a significantly longer duration of illness and even a fatal outcome. In this review, we focused on interactions between S. aureus and non-influenza viruses. Clinical data evidenced that rhinovirus infection may increase the S. aureus carriage load in humans and its spread. In children, respiratory syncytial virus infection is associated with S. aureus carriage. The mechanisms by which some non-influenza respiratory viruses predispose host cells to S. aureus superinfection can be summarized in three categories: i) modifying expression levels of cellular patterns involved in S. aureus adhesion and/or internalization, ii) inducing S. aureus invasion of epithelial cells due to the disruption of tight junctions, and iii) decreasing S. aureus clearance by altering the immune response. The comprehension of pathways involved in S. aureus-respiratory virus interactions may help developing new strategies of preventive and curative therapy.

PMID: 30058450 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://ift.tt/2Ke6DK2

Persistent and Transient Airborne MRSA Colonization of Piglets in a Newly Established Animal Model.

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Persistent and Transient Airborne MRSA Colonization of Piglets in a Newly Established Animal Model.

Front Microbiol. 2018;9:1542

Authors: Rosen K, Roesler U, Merle R, Friese A

Abstract
Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) was first found in 2005 and is up to date widespread in animal husbandry reservoir - focusing on pig farming. The regular detectability of MRSA in the air of pigsties as well as in exhaust air of pig farms (mean count: 102 cfu/m3) poses the question whether an airborne spread and, therefore, a MRSA colonization of animals via the airborne route exists. To answer this question, we exposed three groups of nine MRSA-negative tested piglets each to a defined airborne MRSA concentration (102, 104, and 106 cfu/m3) in our aerosol chamber for 24 h. In the following observation period of 21 days, the MRSA status of the piglets was monitored by taking different swab samples (nasal, pharyngeal, skin, conjunctival, and rectal swab). At the end of the experiment, we euthanized the piglets and investigated different tissues and organs for the spread of MRSA. The data of our study imply the presence of an airborne MRSA colonization route: the animals exposed to 106 cfu/m3 MRSA in the air were persistent colonized. The piglets exposed to an airborne MRSA concentration of 104 cfu/m3 were transient, and the piglets exposed to an airborne MRSA concentration of 102 cfu/m3 were not colonized. Consequently, a colonization via the airborne route was proven.

PMID: 30057576 [PubMed]

https://ift.tt/2vBvaUn

The Protective Effect of Microbiota on S. aureus Skin Colonization Depends on the Integrity of the Epithelial Barrier.

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The Protective Effect of Microbiota on S. aureus Skin Colonization Depends on the Integrity of the Epithelial Barrier.

J Invest Dermatol. 2017 04;137(4):976-979

Authors: Burian M, Bitschar K, Dylus B, Peschel A, Schittek B

PMID: 27923738 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

https://ift.tt/2nbGgvl