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During two successive years (2013–2014), we studied the breeding ecology of the European Blackbird Turdus merula in Guelma province, north-east of Algeria. The study was carried out in orange orchards of the region. We investigated nest placement in the orange trees and determined the factors of reproductive failure at this study area. Nests were placed at low height (mean ± SD = 1.42 ± 0.04 m) and located near the trunk (mean ± SD = 0.61 ± 0.04 m). The breeding season occurred between mid-May and mid-June and the peak of egg laying took place during the first half of May. The mean clutch size was 2.96 ± 0.05, density of breeding pairs was 0.83 ± 0.30 p/ha. The breeding success reported in the present study was higher than that recorded in other studies. Predation was the leading cause of nest failure of the population under investigation. The present study shows that the orange orchards appear to be the preferred breeding area for Blackbird population.

Objectives: to assess the survival rates of removable partial dentures (RPDs) and identify factors impacting their longevity., Methods: electronic health records were retrieved of patients aged ≥18 who received RPDs between 2010 - 2021 with a follow-up of ≥ three months. Data extracted included demographics, medical history, dental charting, periodontal screening and recording scores, prostheses details and related interventions, including new dentures/denture remakes, and maintenance. Multivariate Mixed-Effect Cox regression was performed to identify potential RPD survival risk factors. Reduced model selection was reached using a backward step-down by comparing the performance of these multivariable models using the ANOVA test., Results: 1893 RPDs from 1246 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 21.8 months (range from 3 to 131.3 months). Three hundred and twelve patients received a maxillary RPD, 460 received a mandibular RPD, and the remaining 474 patients received both maxillary and mandibular RPDs. Metal-based RPDs had a median survival of 73 months (95%CI: 70 - 82) versus 45 months (95% CI: 37-67) for acrylic ones. Multivariable mixed effects Cox model showed that the lifespans of RPDs were longer amongst patients receiving more maintenance care within three months [Hazards Ratio (HR)=0.89 (0.83, 0.96)] and after three months [HR=0.53 (0.46, 0.61)] of denture delivery, patients wearing both maxillary and mandibular RPDs [HR=0.67 (0.52, 0.87)], and patients receiving metal-based RPDs [HR=0.31 (0.23, 0.42)]., Conclusions: Metal-based dentures, dual arch restoration, and increased maintenance positively impact the survival of RPDs., Clinical Significance: Adapting consent and warranty practices is advised to reflect RPD performance variations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflict of interest was present at the time of preparing this manuscript. There is no internal or external funding to report., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

With global demand for 3D printed medical devices on the rise, the search for safer, inexpensive, and sustainable methods is timely. Herein, we assessed the practicality of the material extrusion process for acrylic denture bases of which successful outcomes can be extended to implant surgical guides, orthodontic splints, impression trays, record bases and obturators for cleft palates or other maxillary defects. Representative materials comprising denture prototypes and test samples were designed and built with in-house polymethylmethacrylate filaments using varying print directions (PDs), layer heights (LHs) and reinforcements (RFs) with short glass fiber. The study undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the materials to determine their flexural, fracture, and thermal properties. Additional analyses for tensile and compressive properties, chemical composition, residual monomer, and surface roughness (Ra) were completed for parts with optimum parameters. Micrographic analysis of the acrylic composites revealed adequate fiber-matrix compatibility and predictably, their mechanical properties improved simultaneously with RFs and decreased LHs. Fiber reinforcement also improved the overall thermal conductivity of the materials. Ra, on the other hand, improved visibly with decreased RFs and LHs and the prototypes were effortlessly polished and characterized with veneering composites to mimic gingival tissues. In terms of chemical stability, the residual methyl methacrylate monomer contents are well below standards threshold for biological reactions. Notably, 5 vol% acrylic composites built with 0.05 mm LH in 0° on z-axis produced optimum properties that are superior to those of conventional acrylic, milled acrylic and 3D printed photopolymers. Finite element modeling successfully replicated the tensile properties of the prototypes. It may well be argued that the material extrusion process is cost-effective; however, the speed of manufacturing could be longer than that of established methods. Although the mean Ra is within an acceptable range, mandatory manual finishing and aesthetic pigmentation are required for long-term intraoral use. At a proof-of-concept level, it is evident that the material extrusion process can be applied to build inexpensive, safe, and robust thermoplastic acrylic devices. The broad outcomes of this novel study are equally worthy of academic reflection, and further translation to the clinic., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the association and level of evidence between socioeconomic status (SES) and tooth wear (TW) in children, adolescents, and adults., Data: Eligibility criteria comprised population-based observational studies assessing the association between SES and TW in permanent dentition of adolescents and adults. Interventional and descriptive studies or those without an internal comparison between exposed and nonexposed groups were excluded. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were applied where applicable. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the pooled effect measures. Q-statistic, I 2 statistic, subgroup and sensitivity analyses assessed study heterogeneity., Sources: PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles published in English between 1st January 1980 and 31st March 2021., Results: Sixty-five studies were included, involving 63,893 participants in over 30 countries. A positive association was found between TW and education (OR=1.25 [0.96; 1.62]), family income (OR=1.18 [0.91; 1.53]), and private school (OR= 1.24 [0.90; 1.72]) among adolescents. Higher educated adults had a lower risk for TW (OR=0.70 [0.52; 0.93]). Most included studies had a moderate RoB. Limitations relating to population representation and assessment methodologies were identified in the included studies., Conclusions: SES was associated with TW with its direction depending on the individuals' age. The overall quality of evidence was moderate., Clinical Significanc: SES should be included as part of the routine screening and risk assessment for tooth wear., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Objective: to assess the expectations, perceptions and performance of different operators with varying backgrounds and training in the use of full-arch intraoral scanning (IOS)., Methods and Materials: Dentists (DENT), postgraduate dental students (DPG), and student prosthetists (PROS) were invited to join an IOS training workshop. Participants completed a satisfactory scan of a mannikin-mounted typodont with the total scanning time (TST) recorded. They also completed anonymised pre and post-training questionnaires covering their background, and IOS expectations and experience. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, and chi-square tests. Open-ended questions were analysed manually and using Leximancer., Results: Twenty-seven participants were recruited: 10 DENT; 10 PROS; and 7 DPG. Positive expectations of IOS was reported by 93 % of participants. Combined TST was 285 ± 83 s, with the PROS TST significantly longer (p < 0.05, 337 ± 79 s). Further training need was reported by 60 % of PROS and 50 % of DENT versus 14 % of DPG. Positive IOS experience was reported by 96 % of participants, 74 % perceived it to be accurate, and 63 % found it easy to use. Eighty-five percent of all participants stated that cost would influence their decision of adopting IOS in their practice., Conclusion: Expectations and perceptions of IOS were overwhelmingly positive, irrespective of operator background and experience. Scanning performance and training needs depended on the operator's background. Cost of IOS remains a barrier to acquiring the technology., Clinical Significance: IOS training must be customised to accommodate the needs of different operators. The cost of IOS needs revision to improve its accessibility., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This aim was to assess the biomechanical and biocompatibility properties of novel glass fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs) with a fluorinated urethane dimethacrylate (FUDMA) resin. Three ratios of FUDMA/TEGDMA (30/70 wt%, 50/50 wt%, 70/30 wt%) and two ratios of control FRCs with bis-GMA/TEGDMA (50/50 wt% and 70/30 wt%) containing long silanized E-glass fibres were prepared. Despite 70 wt% bis-GMA-FRC showed a significantly higher flexural strength (p < 0.05), 50 wt% FUDMA- and bis-GMA-FRCs were not differ from each other. The greatest surface hardness and weight increase after water storage were found in 70 wt% and 30 wt% FUDMA-FRCs, respectively. No significant difference was found in water sorption and solubility among all groups. Average surface roughness was 1.80 ± 0.05 μm, while 70 wt% FUDMA-FRC exhibited the greatest contact angle (p > 0.05). Viabilities and ALP activities of MC3TC-E1 cells in all FUDMA-FRCs were higher than bis-GMA-FRCs after 5 days. To conclude, the novel FUDMA-FRCs are potential substitutes that exhibited superior cytocompatibility properties but comparable biomechanical properties to bis-GMA-FRCs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: to assess FRC FPDs longevity through systematically reviewing contemporary clinical evidence. Population investigated comprised patients requiring replacement of a single missing anterior/posterior tooth. Intervention was FRC FPDs. No control/comparison selected. Outcome was longevity of FRC FPDs. The focus question was: 'What is the longevity of FRC FPDs used to replace one anterior or posterior tooth in patients?', Data: Randomised, non-randomised, controlled, prospective and retrospective clinical studies were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were applied. The Overall Strength of Clinical Recommendation (OSCR) was assessed using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy system. Survival of FPDs was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Analysis of FPD-survival according to location and occurrence of different failures was performed using Logrank and Chi-square testing., Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases were searched between January 2007 and December 2015., Study Selection: Nine studies were included, involving placement of 592 FRC FPDs in 463 patients. Follow-up periods ranged between 2 months and 8 years. Kaplan-Meier overall survival probability was 94.5% (95%C.I: 92.5%-96.5%) at 4.8 years. There was no significant difference in survival probability of anterior versus posterior FRC FPDs (P=0.278). Veneering material fracture/delamination occurred significantly more than other types of failures (Ps<0.05). A meta-analysis could not be performed. OSCR was moderate., Conclusions: FRC FPDs demonstrated high overall survival with predictable performance outcomes. However, long-term performance remains unclear., Clinical Significance: FRC FPDs are viable medium-term management alternatives for replacing single anterior or posterior teeth in patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We attempted to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) pathogenesis by measuring the nuclear DNA content (ploidy) in premalignant (potentially malignant) and malignant patients as compared to normal controls, and to determine whether DNA ploidy could be used to predict the clinical outcome. From March 2001 to December 2003, the analysis was carried out in a set of 41 patients with premalignant lesions and 79 suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of laryngeal, oesophageal, nasopharyngeal, nasal and oral lesions and 50 controls. Representative samples were taken by punch biopsy and processed using standard formol-paraffin technique for histopathological examination. Fifty micrometer thick sections of paraffin-embedded tissues were analyzed to detect the DNA content by image cytometry. Of the potentially malignant patients, 46% had diploid lesions, 37% had tetraploid lesions and 17% had aneuploid lesions. While of the patients with cancer, 90% had aneuploid lesions, 10% had diploid lesions and none had tetraploid lesions. DNA diploidy tended to occur earlier in the progression from premalignant to malignant lesions and this helps us early detection of HNSCC by DNA from lesions in high risk groups and examination of its ploidy. Knowledge of tumor cell ploidy by DNA image cytometry may facilitate the evaluation of malignant and premalignant lesions in HNSCC. The present findings are promising to supplement clinical and histopathological parameters in evaluating prognosis and to demonstrate methods that are readily applicable for routine diagnostic work.