Quality of Life, Satisfaction, Occlusal Force, and Halitosis after Direct and Indirect Relining of Inferior Complete Dentures

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the direct relining technique with the indirect relining technique in relation to quality of life, satisfaction with the relining, occlusal force, and halitosis of users of acrylic complete dentures. Materials and Methods Twenty bimaxillary edentulous individuals were selected. They had to use the same pair of complete dentures for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years. The subjects were randomly divided in groups of direct relining and indirect relining of the inferior denture (n = 10). Both groups received the same silicone-based relining. The clinical tests verified the quality of life (Oral Health Impact Profile in edentulous individuals), the satisfaction with the relining, the occlusal force, and halitosis. The tests (halitosis and occlusal force) were performed initially (before the relining), immediately after the relining, and 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after the relining. The questionnaires (quality of life and satisfaction with the relining) were performed initially (before the relining), and 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after the relining. Statistical Analysis Analysis of variance and the Tukey test were used (p < 0.05). Results There was no statistical difference comparing the two techniques in all the evaluations (p < 0.05). There was a significant statistical difference for the factor of time in all clinical tests for each relining technique (p < 0.05). The quality of life and satisfaction with the relining increased significantly 30 days after the relining when compared with the initial time point, for both techniques (p < 0.05). The occlusal force increased significantly after 90 and 180 days when compared with the initial time point, for both techniques (p < 0.05). Halitosis decreased significantly immediately after the relining when compared with the initial time point, for both techniques (p < 0.05). Conclusion Independent of the relining technique used, there was an increase in the quality of life, satisfaction with the relining, and occlusal force, as well as a reduction in the level of halitosis. Both techniques generated similar results and therefore can be options in clinical practice.

Three-Dimensional Dynamic Analysis of the Reproducibility of Verbal and Nonverbal Facial Expressions

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the short- and long-term reproducibility of verbal and nonverbal facial expressions of normal people using dynamic 3-dimensional (3-D) imaging. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, controlled study. Setting: Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China. Patients and Participants: Twenty-seven participants, 12 males and 15 females, were recruited for this study. Methods: A 3-D dynamic system was applied to capture the process of 4 nonverbal facial expressions (smile lips closed, smile lips open, lip purse, cheek puff) and 2 verbal facial expressions (/i:/, /u:/) at an initial time point, 15 minutes later, and 1 week later. Key frames were selected from each expression recording sequence. Main Outcome Measures: The root mean square (RMS) between each key frame and its corresponding frame at rest was calculated. ΔRMS reflected the difference of the same key frames between the different sessions of the same expression of the same participant. The reproducibility of different facial expressions at different time intervals were analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in verbal and nonverbal expression repeatability during a 15-minute interval, except for cheek puff motion. Following a 1-week interval, verbal expression repeatability was superior to that of nonverbal expressions ( P < .01). Compared with nonverbal expressions, the repeatability of verbal expressions did not obviously decrease with the increase in recording interval. Conclusions: Dynamic 3-D imaging is a useful technique for facial expression analysis. Verbal expressions showed greater reproducibility than nonverbal expressions.

The impact on anatomical landmark identification after an ultrasound-guided palpation intervention: a pilot study

Background To determine whether a discrepancy exists in identifying three musculoskeletal landmarks (medial meniscus, lateral malleolus and lateral epicondyle of the humerus) and whether ultrasound-guided (US-guided) palpation intervention can reduce that discrepancy and improve localization for chiropractic interns. Methods Sixteen chiropractic interns were asked to identify three subcutaneous anatomical landmarks before/ after the intervention and at a 3-day follow-up. The intervention was a three-minute US-guided demonstration of the landmarks after the intern’s initial localization. The primary outcome measure was the change in distance between the intern’s landmark identification. Non-normal data were analyzed with the Friedman’s and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Discrepancy between examiner-determined landmarks and intern-identified landmarks at the initial time point was assessed with a 1-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results All locations demonstrated an initial discrepancy between examiner-determined landmarks and intern-identified landmarks at the initial time point. Overall, a statistically significant difference was noted in the identification of the medial meniscus (p = 0.012) and lateral malleolus (p = 0.001), but not at the lateral epicondyle (p = 0.086). For the before and immediately after comparison, a significant improvement was found with the medial meniscus (p = 0.005) and lateral malleolus (p = 0.002). The 3-day post-intervention comparison found an improvement only for the lateral malleolus (p = 0.008). Conclusion This pilot study demonstrated palpatory discrepancy at identifying all three landmarks. Our data suggests that US-guided palpation intervention seems to improve an intern’s ability to palpate two landmarks (medial meniscus and lateral malleolus) post-intervention.

Evidence That Implicit Beliefs Moderate the Automaticity-Behavior Relationship in Health Behaviors

Objective: Implicit attitudes toward behaviors develop over time through repeated experience of behaviors alongside associated evaluations. Implicit attitudes can be activated on presentation of cues or other behaviorally-relevant information, which may also activate an associated behavioral response. The implicit attitude-behavior link means that the associated behavioral response is likely to be non-consciously and automatically enacted. Implicit attitude strength should, therefore, moderate effects of behavioral automaticity on subsequent behavior. Methods: The moderating effect of implicit attitudes on effects of automaticity on health behavior was investigated using a two-wave correlational design. Two samples of University students completed measures of attitudes, behavioral automaticity, and implicit attitudes for free-sugar intake (sample 1) and heavy episodic drinking (sample 2) at an initial time point, with follow-up behavioral measures taken at two and five weeks later, respectively. Results: Moderated path analyses indicated that attitudes and behavioral automaticity predicted behavior in both samples. Implicit attitudes moderated the automaticity-behavior relationship in both samples. The effect of behavioral automaticity on behavior was largest when implicit attitudes were high. Conclusions: Findings provide important preliminary evidence that individuals with strong implicit attitudes are more likely to enact their behavior automatically rather than as part of an intentional process.

Impact of Multi-Disciplinary Care and Clinical Coach Coordinators on Participant Satisfaction and Retention in TBI Clinical Trials: A TEAM-TBI Study

Background Targeted Evaluation Action and Monitoring of Traumatic Brain Injury (TEAM-TBI) is a monitored, multiple interventional research identifying clinical profiles and assigns individualized, evidence-based treatment program. The objective of the current study was to assess overall participant satisfaction of the multi-disciplinary care team and approach. Methods Between 2014 and 2017, 90 participants completed the 4-day TEAM-TBI clinical intake evaluation resulting in individualized treatment recommendations followed by a six-month intervention phase follow-up. Inclusion criteria were: age 18–60, history of chronic TBI (&gt;6 months post-injury) with refractory clinical sequelae at screening (Post-Concussion Symptom Scale [PCSS] score &gt;30). Results A total of 85/90 (94%) participants completed the survey at baseline focusing on intake evaluation and approach; 90% of eligible participants also completed the follow-up time-point. Hundred percent of participants had a mean score of &gt;4 across all questions at the initial time point.” Conclusions The multi-disciplinary care approach and individualized treatment plans of the TEAM-TBI study yielded high participant retention and satisfaction scores. The Clinical Coach component of the trial was one of the highest rated aspects of the program and was associated with participant motivation and high retention rates.

The effect of toothpastes with bleaching agents on the force decay of elastomeric orthodontic chains

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of agents available in whitening toothpastes (Crest® and Sensodyne®) in vitro on the force decay of elastomeric chains used in orthodontics. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 specimens of elastomeric chains were divided into five groups (n = 60) and were evaluated. These groups included (1) the regular Crest® toothpaste and distilled water solution, (2) whitening Crest® toothpaste and distilled water solution, (3) regular Sensodyne® toothpaste and distilled water solution, (4) whitening Sensodyne® toothpaste and distilled water solution, and (5) distilled water as a control group. The samples' force was measured using Instron at intervals of 0, 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: At the initial time point, the difference in the force values of elastomeric chain between any of the groups was not significant (P > 0.05). On the 1st day, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between all groups except the groups of whitening Crest®, regular, and whitening Sensodyne® (P > 0.05). On days 7, 14, and 28, the rate of decline for all groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results obtained in the present study, it seems that toothpastes without whitening agents have less effect on force decay of elastomeric chain over time.

Effects of Implant Drill Wear, Irrigation, and Drill Materials on Heat Generation in Osteotomy Sites

This study evaluated the effects of drill wear on bone temperature during osteotomy preparation with 3 types of drills and compared heat production between drills. The drills used in this study were titanium nitride-coated metal, tungsten carbide carbon-coated metal, and zirconia ceramic drills. An osteotomy 11 mm in depth was formed in bovine scapular bone following the manufacturer's recommended drill sequences. Drilling was performed without irrigation and repeated 20 times; temperature was measured every 5 times. Next, 200 rounds of drilling during irrigation were performed for each drill, with temperature change monitored until round 200. Analysis of variance statistics were used for analyses of the measured data. Drilling without irrigation showed significant thermal increase at all time points compared to drilling with irrigation (P &lt; .001). No significant difference was found between drill materials. Under irrigation, the frequency of previous drilling had minimal effects on thermal change. The repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed major thermal change at the initial time point (P &lt; .0001), and the multiple comparison tests revealed a significant difference in temperature between the initial drills that had been used 50 or fewer times and those that had been used more than 50 times, irrespective of the drill material. The results of this study indicate that the initial drill should be changed in osteotomy preparation with irrigation after they have been used 50 times. Irrigation may be a more critical factor for the control of temperature elevation than is the drill material.

The Analysis of Oil Suppression by Aqueous Film Forming Foam through a Gas-Salt Layer of Water

Regularities and procedure of suppression of oil flame through a gas-salt layer of water are determined as a result of laboratory experiments. Conclusion about defining role of surface activity of foam concentrates in guaranteeing of reliable flame suppression by foam in process of its supplying into the bottom of tank through a gas-salt layer of water is drawn. Time of oil product suppression, which includes the time of saturation of a gas-salt layer of water by surface-active substances and the time of burning elimination, is defined. It is revealed that foam rising through a gas-salt layer of water in an initial time point loses the part of active substances (mainly hydrocarbon component) and partially destructs. Influence of hardness salts on a superficial tension of foam concentrates solutions is shown.

The Prestretching Effect on the Force Decay of Orthodontic Elastic Chain

ABSTRACT This in vitro study evaluated the influence of prestretching, in the force decay of orthodontic elastic chains, at three time intervals 2, 7 and 30 days with the brands Morelli, Orthometric and American Orthodontics. In the experimental group, prestretching was performed, stretching the elastics to increase them by 50% of their original length three times in a quick and sequential mode. All of the elastic chains were kept stretched and stored in artificial saliva at 37°C until the time of force measurement. For comparisons between the control and experimental groups, the Mann-Whitney test was used. For comparisons between time points and brands, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used, and for multiple comparisons, Miller's post-hoc test was used. The results showed statistically significant differences among the different commercial brands tested at the initial time point. The mean force at the initial time point ranged from 2.57 to 3.17 N. By day 2, the force values were between 0.97 and 1.49 N; by day 7, the values were 0.56 and 0.94 N. By day 30, the force values ranged between 0.27 and 0.66 N. We concluded that performing and duration of prestretching and the brand all influenced the force decay of orthodontic elastic chains. Time had a greater influence on the decay of the elastics than brand or prestretching. How to cite this article de Aguiar AM, de Aguiar AM, de Araújo Gurgel J, Vercelino CRMP, Filho EMM, Bandeca MC, de Jesus Tavarez RR. The Prestretching Effect on the Force Decay of Orthodontic Elastic Chain. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(4):456-460.

Changes in Callosal Motor Fiber Integrity after Subcortical Stroke of the Pyramidal Tract

In the healthy brain, there are close correlations between task-related activation of the primary motor cortex (M1), the magnitude of interhemispheric inhibition, and microstructural properties of transcallosal fiber tracts. After subcortical stroke affecting the pyramidal tract (PT), an abnormal pattern of bilateral activity develops in M1. With this prospective longitudinal study, we aimed to determine whether a morphological correlate of poststroke disinhibition could be measured within 20 days and 6 months of PT stroke. Using diffusion tensor imaging with tractography, we delineated transcallosal motor fibers (CMF) in nine PT stroke patients, six patients with subcortical infarct not affecting the PT (NonPT) and six transient ischemic attack patients. We compared changes in CMF fractional anisotropy ratios (rFA) with rFA in a distinct bundle of callosal occipital fibers (COF). At the initial time point, there were no significant differences in rFA between groups and fiber bundles. At follow-up, PT-group rFACMF was significantly lower than PT-group rFACOF and NonPT-group rFACMF. PT-group rFACMF decreased over time and correlated with rFA of the PT (rFAPT) retrograde to the infarct at 6 months. Our data suggest a progressive degenerative transsynaptic effect of PT stroke on CMF, which could be a morphological correlate of transcallosal disinhibition.