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Objectives: Anti‐resorptive agents have been linked to the development of MRONJ in patients undergoing dental surgical procedures. This survey aims to explore the level of knowledge and experience of Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology members in the management of patients treated with anti‐resorptive agents and with the risk of developing MRONJ. Materials and Methods: An 18‐item questionnaire was submitted by e‐mail to the SIdP members. Statistical analyses were carried out. Continuous variables were described as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median, and first and third quartile according to distribution's normality. Normality of data was checked with Shapiro–Wilk test. Results: Four hundred and fifty‐one questionnaires were returned by e‐mail (32%). Most of the respondents were private practitioners (81.8%). Only 47.7% declared to be highly confident in managing patients on anti‐resorptive therapy while 92.5% reported to have performed tooth extractions and 52.3% implant surgery in patients under anti‐resorptive therapy for osteometabolic disorders. One or more MRONJ‐affected patients were encountered by 63.2% of the respondents. Conclusions: This survey highlights the need to develop a "dedicated" program both for dentists and prescribers to improve the level of cooperation and to increase the level of awareness of patients treated with anti‐resorptive agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To reach a consensus on a consistent strategy to adopt when screening patients for dental/periodontal infections and on the feasibility of providing dental treatment before cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery or other cardiovascular invasive procedures. Methodology: A panel of experts from six Italian scientific societies was created. The deliberations of the panel were based on the RAND method. From an initial systematic literature review, it became clear that a consensually validated protocol for the reproducible dental screening of patients awaiting cardiac interventions was considered mandatory by professionals with expertise in the dental, cardiologic and cardiac surgery areas. However, a systematic review also concluded that the treatment options to be provided, their prognosis and timing in relation to the physical condition of patients, had never been defined. Following the systematic review, several fundamental questions were generated. The panel was divided into two working groups each of which produced documents that addressed the topic and which were subsequently used to generate a questionnaire. Each member of the panel completed the questionnaire independently, and then, a panel discussion was held to reach a consensus on how best to manage patients with dental/periodontal infections who were awaiting invasive cardiac procedures. Results: A high level of agreement was reached regarding all the items on the questionnaire, and each of the clinical questions formulated were answered. Three tables were created which can be used to generate a useful tool to provide standardized dental/periodontal screening of patients undergoing elective cardiovascular interventions and to summarize both the possible oral and cardiovascular conditions of the patient and the timing available for the procedures considered. Conclusions: Upon publication of this consensus document, the dissemination of the information to a wide dental and cardiac audience should commence. The authors hope that this consensus will become a model for the development of a dedicated protocol, ideally usable by heart and dental teams in the pre‐interventional preparation phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article was to present the treatment of an unesthetic smile in a 27-year-old woman showing gingival recession, gingival asymmetry, and an altered passive eruption in the natural dentition. First, an apically positioned flap with osseous resective surgery was applied to correct the gingival asymmetry at the maxillary right incisors. The amount of bone resection was determined by means of bone sounding at the maxillary left incisors. Six weeks later, a coronally advanced flap procedure was performed to cover the gingival recession at the maxillary right canine, along with an enamelplasty and a direct composite resin restoration. The patient was satisfied with the final treatment outcome. (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2010;30:257-263.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhanced visual perception and illumination of an operative microscope improve surgical techniques in terms of flap incision, quality of root debridement, and suturing. The aim of this study is to describe microsurgical flap access for the treatment of periodontal pockets associated with shallow to moderate bony defects in the esthetic zone of the mouth. This technique combines preservation of the still-attached gingival fibers and maintenance of the body of the interproximal papilla. The results in terms of attachment level gain and residual pocket depth show that the described microsurgical approach helps to minimize marginal tissue recession and improve esthetics in the treatment of shallow to moderate bony defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the clinical aspects and the histologic features of three cases of gingival cyst of the adult. The diagnostic problems of this rare entity are discussed. Radiographic examination to determine the presence of bone loss must be undertaken to differentiate the gingival cyst of the adult from the more frequent lateral periodontal cyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reach a consensus on a consistent strategy to adopt when screening patients for dental/periodontal infections, and on the feasibility of providing dental treatment before cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery or other cardiovascular invasive procedures. A panel of experts from six Italian scientific societies was created. The deliberations of the panel were based on the RAND method. From an initial systematic literature review, it became clear that a consensually validated protocol for the reproducible dental screening of patients awaiting cardiac interventions was considered mandatory by professionals with expertise in the dental, cardiologic and cardiac surgery areas. However, systematic review also concluded that the treatment options to be provided, their prognosis and timing in relation to the physical condition of patients had never been defined. Following the systematic review several fundamental questions were generated. The panel was divided into two working groups each of which produced documents that addressed the topic and which were subsequently used to generate a questionnaire. Each member of the panel completed the questionnaire independently and then a panel discussion was held to reach a consensus on how best to manage patients with dental/periodontal infections who were awaiting invasive cardiac procedures. A high level of agreement was reached regarding all the items on the questionnaire, and each of the clinical questions formulated were answered. Three tables were created which can be used to generate a useful tool to provide standardized dental/periodontal screening of patients undergoing elective cardiovascular interventions, and to summarize both the possible oral and cardiovascular conditions of the patient and the timing available for the procedures considered. Upon publication of this consensus document, the dissemination of the information to a wide dental and cardiac audience should commence. The authors hope that this consensus can become a model for the development of a dedicated protocol, ideally usable by heart and dental teams in the pre-interventional preparation phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of root coverage outcomes has gained a great deal of interest. However, insufficient evidence is available, mainly due to limited direct comparisons among different techniques and the small sample size among clinical trials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to propose a mixed-models network meta-analysis (NMA) that includes the novelty of assessing time on root coverage outcomes while simultaneously comparing different surgical approaches. A literature search was performed by 2 individual reviewers to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the outcomes of root coverage procedures of at least 2 time points to estimate the slopes of different treatment approaches. The primary outcomes were the changes in slopes for recession depth (REC), keratinized tissue width (KTW), and clinical attachment level. Sixty RCTs with a total of 2,554 gingival recessions (1,864 patients) were included in the NMA. Connective tissue graft (CTG) and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) approaches provided superior initial REC reduction compared to flap advancement alone. However, only CTG-based procedures were effective in maintaining the stability of the gingival margin over time, while EMD, acellular dermal matrix, collagen matrix, and flap alone showed a similar tendency for gingival recession recurrence. Baseline REC and KTW at the earliest postoperative recall were predictors for the stability of the gingival margin. In addition, a geographic center effect on the treatment slopes was observed for REC and KTW. While limitations of the present linear mixed-modeling approach should be considered as it refers to estimation and comparison of time slopes based on an examined while linear framework, the designed NMA showed to be an effective tool for the simultaneous comparison of multiple treatment approaches while taking into account the critical element of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing issues in scaled Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) circuit fabrication favor the flourishing of emerging technologies. Because of their limited sizes, both CMOS and emerging technologies are particularly sensitive to defects that arise during the fabrication process. Their impact is not easy to analyze in order to take the necessary countermeasures, especially in the case of circuits of realistic complexity based on emerging technologies. In this work, we propose a new methodology supported by an efficient and reliable tool for the identification of the impact of faults in complex circuits implemented using the emerging technology we are focusing on in this case: nanomagnetic logic. The methodology is based on three main steps: (i) we performed exhaustive physical-level simulations of basic blocks based on a detailed finite-element tool in order to have a full characterization, to know their properties in presence of defects, and to have a solid reference point for the following steps; (ii) we developed a model ( fanomag) for the basic block behavior suitable for simulations in presence of defects of complex circuits, that is, lighter than a physical level one, but accurate enough to capture the most important features to be inherited at circuit level; (iii) starting from a physical design of complex circuits that we perform using a specific design tool we developed, that is, ToPoliNano, we simulated using fanomag, now embedded in our ToPoliNano tool, the behavior of circuits in presence of multiple sets of fabrication defects using a Monte Carlo approach now included in ToPoliNano as a new feature. In this paper, a specific type of defect is considered as a case study. The framework and methodology are conceived to be easily extended to handle other types of defects and problems due to working conditions that a designer and/or a technologist might want to focus on. The major outcome is then a powerful methodology and tool capable to analyze with a good accuracy nanomagnetic logic complex circuits and architectures both in ideal conditions and in presence of defects with remarkable performance in terms of simulation times. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical profiles of aerosol optical properties were explored in a case study near the San Pietro Capofiume (SPC) ground station during the PEGASOS Po Valley campaign in the summer of 2012. A Zeppelin NT airship was employed to investigate the effect of the dynamics of the planetary boundary layer at altitudes between ~ 50-800 m above ground. Determined properties included the aerosol size distribution, the hygroscopic growth factor, the effective index of refraction and the light absorption coefficient. The first three parameters were used to retrieve the light scattering coefficient. Simultaneously, direct measurements of both the scattering and absorption coefficient were carried out at the SPC ground station. Additionally, a LIDAR system provided aerosol extinction coefficients for a vertically resolved comparison between in-situ and remote sensing results. First, the airborne results at low altitudes were validated with the ground measurements. Agreement within approximately ±25 and ±20 % was found for the dry scattering and absorption coefficient, respectively. The single scattering albedo, ranged between 0.83 to 0.95, indicating the importance of the absorbing particles in the Po Valley region. A clear layering of the atmosphere was observed during the beginning of the flight (until ~ 10 local time) before the mixed layer (ML) was fully developed. Highest extinction coefficients were found at low altitudes, in the new ML, while values in the residual layer, which could be probed at the beginning of the flight at elevated altitudes, were lower. At the end of the flight (after ~ 12 local time) the ML was fully developed, resulting in constant extinction coefficients at all altitudes measured on the Zeppelin NT. LIDAR results captured these dynamic features well and good agreement was found for the extinction coefficients compared to the in-situ results, using fixed LIDAR ratios (LR) between 30 and 70 sr for the altitudes probed with the Zeppelin. These LR are consistent with values for continental aerosol particles that can be expected in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated chemical and microphysical processes in the late winter in the Antarctic lower stratosphere, after the first chlorine activation and initial ozone depletion. We focused on a time interval when both further chlorine activation and ozone loss, but also chlorine deactivation, occur. We performed a comprehensive Lagrangian analysis to simulate the evolution of an air mass along a 10-day trajectory, coupling a detailed microphysical box model to a chemistry model. Model results have been compared with in situ and remote sensing measurements of particles and ozone at the start and end points of the trajectory, and satellite measurements of key chemical species and clouds along it. Different model runs have been performed to understand the relative role of solid and liquid polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles for the heterogeneous chemistry, and for the denitrification caused by particle sedimentation. According to model results, under the conditions investigated, ozone depletion is not affected significantly by the presence of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles, as the observed depletion rate can equally well be reproduced by heterogeneous chemistry on cold liquid aerosol, with a surface area density close to background values. Under the conditions investigated, the impact of denitrification is important for the abundances of chlorine reservoirs after PSC evaporation, thus stressing the need to use appropriate microphysical models in the simulation of chlorine deactivation. We found that the effect of particle sedimentation and denitrification on the amount of ozone depletion is rather small in the case investigated. In the first part of the analyzed period, when a PSC was present in the air mass, sedimentation led to a smaller available particle surface area and less chlorine activation, and thus less ozone depletion. After the PSC evaporation, in the last 3 days of the simulation, denitrification increases ozone loss by hampering chlorine deactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated chemical and microphysical processes in the late winter in the Antarctic lower stratosphere, after the first chlorine activation and initial ozone depletion. We focused on a time interval when both further chlorine activation and ozone loss, but also chlorine deactivation, occur. We performed a comprehensive Lagrangian analysis to simulate the evolution of an airmass along a ten-day trajectory, coupling a detailed microphysical box model with a chemistry model. Model results have been compared with in-situ and remote sensing measurements of particles and ozone at the start and end points of the trajectory, and satellite measurements of key chemical species and clouds along it. Different model runs have been performed to understand the relative role of solid and liquid Polar Stratospheric Cloud (PSC) particles for the heterogeneous chemistry, and for the denitrification caused by particle sedimentation. According to model results, under the conditions investigated, ozone depletion is not affected significantly by the presence of Nitric Acid Trihydrate (NAT) particles, as the observed depletion rate can equally well be reproduced by heterogeneous chemistry on cold liquid aerosol, with a surface area density close to background values. Under the conditions investigated, the impact of denitrification is important for the abundances of chlorine reservoirs after PSC evaporation, thus stressing the need of using appropriate microphysical models in the simulation of chlorine deactivation. Conversely, we found that the effect of particle sedimentation and denitrification on the amount of ozone depletion is rather small in the case investigated. In the first part of the analysed period, when a PSC was present in the airmass, sedimentation led to smaller available particle surface area and less chlorine activation, and thus less ozone depletion. After the PSC evaporation, in the last three days of the simulation, denitrification increases ozone loss by hampering chlorine deactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case study presented here focuses on the life cycle of clouds in the anvil region of a tropical deep convective system. During the SCOUT-O3 campaign from Darwin, Northern Australia, the Hector storm system has been probed by the Geophysica high-altitude aircraft. Clouds were observed by in situ particle probes, a backscatter sonde, and a miniature lidar. Additionally, aerosol number concentrations have been measured. On 30 November 2005 a double flight took place and Hector was probed throughout its life cycle in its developing, mature, and dissipating stage. The two flights were four hours apart and focused on the anvil region of Hector in altitudes between 10.5 and 18.8 km (i.e. above 350 K potential temperature). Trajectory calculations, satellite imagery, and ozone measurements have been used to ensure that the same cloud air masses have been probed in both flights. The size distributions derived from the measurements show a change not only with increasing altitude but also with the evolution of Hector. Clearly different cloud to aerosol particle ratios as well as varying ice crystal morphology have been found for the different development stages of Hector, indicating different freezing mechanisms. The development phase exhibits the smallest ice particles (up to 300 pm) with a rather uniform morphology. This is indicative for rapid glaciation during Hector's development. Sizes of ice crystals are largest in the mature stage (larger than 1.6 mm) and even exceed those of some continental tropical deep convective clouds, also in their number concentrations. The backscatter properties and particle images show a change in ice crystal shape from the developing phase to rimed and aggregated particles in the mature and dissipating stages; the specific shape of particles in the developing phase cannot be distinguished from the measurements. Although optically thin, the clouds in the dissipating stage have a large vertical extent (roughly 6 km) and persist for at least 6 h. Thus, the anvils of these high-reaching deep convective clouds have a high potential for affecting the tropical tropopause layer by modifying the humidity and radiative budget, as well as for providing favourable conditions for subvisible cirrus formation. The involved processes may also influence the amount of water vapour that ultimately reaches the stratosphere in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work quantifies the spatial distribution of different aerosol types, their seasonal variability and sources. The analysis of four years of CALIOP (Cloud- Aerosol LIdar with Orthogonal Polarization) vertically resolved aerosol data allows the identification of spatial patterns of desert dust and carbonaceous particles in different atmospheric layers. Clusters of Lagrangian back trajectories highlight the transport pathways from source regions during the dusty spring season. The analysis shows a prevalence of dust; at low heights it occurs frequently (up to 70% of available observations) and is distributed north of the Tibetan Plateau with a main contribution from the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts, and west of the Tibetan Plateau, originating from the deserts of southwest Asia and advected by the Westerlies. Above the Himalayas the dust amount is minor but still not negligible (occurrence around 20%) and mainly affected by the transport from more distant deserts sources (Sahara and Arabian Peninsula). Carbonaceous aerosol, produced mainly in northern India and eastern China, is subject to shorter-range transport and is indeed observed closer to the sources, while there is a limited amount reaching the top of the plateau. Data analysis reveals a clear seasonal variability in the frequencies of occurrence for the main aerosol types; dust is regulated principally by the monsoon dynamics, with maximal occurrence in spring. We also highlight relevant interannual differences, showing a larger presence of aerosol in the region during 2007 and 2008. The characterization of the aerosol spatial and temporal distribution in terms of observational frequency is a key piece of information that can be directly used for the evaluation of global aerosol models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international research project RECONCILE has addressed central questions regarding polar ozone depletion, with the objective to quantify some of the most relevant yet still uncertain physical and chemical processes and thereby improve prognostic modelling capabilities to realistically predict the response of the ozone layer to climate change. This overview paper outlines the scope and the general approach of RECONCILE, and it provides a summary of observations and modelling in 2010 and 2011 that have generated an in many respects unprecedented dataset to study processes in the Arctic winter stratosphere. Principally, it summarises important outcomes of RECONCILE including (i) better constraints and enhanced consistency on the set of parameters governing catalytic ozone destruction cycles, (ii) a better understanding of the role of cold binary aerosols in heterogeneous chlorine activation, (iii) an improved scheme of polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) processes that includes heterogeneous nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) and ice on non-volatile background aerosol leading to better model parameterisations with respect to denitrification, and (iv) long transient simulations with a chemistry- climate model (CCM) updated based on the results of RECONCILE that better reproduce past ozone trends in Antarctica and are deemed to produce more reliable predictions of future ozone trends. The process studies and the global simulations conducted in RECONCILE show that in the Arctic, ozone depletion uncertainties in the chemical and microphysical processes are now clearly smaller than the sensitivity to dynamic variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant reductions in stratospheric ozone occur inside the polar vortices each spring when chlorine radicals produced by heterogeneous reactions on cold particle surfaces in winter destroy ozone mainly in two catalytic cycles, the CIO dimer cycle and the CIO/BrO cycle. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are responsible for most of the chlorine currently present in the stratosphere, have been banned by the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, and the ozone layer is predicted to recover to 1980 levels within the next few decades. During the same period, however, climate change is expected to alter the temperature, circulation patterns and chemical composition in the stratosphere, and possible geo-engineering ventures to mitigate climate change may lead to additional changes. To realistically predict the response of the ozone layer to such influences requires the correct representation of all relevant processes. The European project RECONCILE has comprehensively addressed remaining questions in the context of polar ozone depletion, with the objective to quantify the rates of some of the most relevant, yet still uncertain physical and chemical processes. To this end RECONCILE used a broad approach of laboratory experiments, two field missions in the Arctic winter 2009/10 employing the high altitude research aircraft M55-Geophysica and an extensive match ozone sonde campaign, as well as microphysical and chemical transport modelling and data assimilation. Some of the main outcomes of RECONCILE are as follows: (1) vortex meteorology: the 2009/10 Arctic winter was unusually cold at stratospheric levels during the six-week period from mid-December 2009 until the end of January 2010, with reduced transport and mixing across the polar vortex edge; polar vortex stability and how it is influenced by dynamic processes in the troposphere has led to unprecedented, synoptic-scale stratospheric regions with temperatures below the frost point; in these regions stratospheric ice clouds have been observed, extending over > 106 km² during more than 3 weeks. (2) Particle microphysics: heterogeneous nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles in the absence of ice has been unambiguously demonstrated; conversely, the synoptic scale ice clouds also appear to nucleate heterogeneously; a variety of possible heterogeneous nuclei has been characterised by chemical analysis of the non-volatile fraction of the background aerosol; substantial formation of solid particles and denitrification via their sedimentation has been observed and model parameterizations have been improved. (3) Chemistry: strong evidence has been found for significant chlorine activation not only on polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) but also on cold binary aerosol; laboratory experiments and field data on the CIOOCI photolysis rate and other kinetic parameters have been shown to be consistent with an adequate degree of certainty; no evidence has been found that would support the existence of yet unknown chemical mechanisms making a significant contribution to polar ozone loss. (4) Global modelling: results from process studies have been implemented in a prognostic chemistry climate model (CCM); simulations with improved parameterisations of processes relevant for polar ozone depletion are evaluated against satellite data and other long term records using data assimilation and detrended fluctuation analysis. Finally, measurements and process studies within RECONCILE were also applied to the winter 2010/11, when special meteorological conditions led to the highest chemical ozone loss ever observed in the Arctic. In addition to quantifying the 2010/11 ozone loss and to understand its causes including possible connections to climate change, its impacts were addressed, such as changes in surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the densely populated northern mid-latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that describes the characteristics and capabilities of the airborne lidar system of atmospheric aerosol. The study performs three test flights under conditions of high sky brightness. It also discusses the observations, which aims to assess the system capabilities in unperturbed atmospheric conditions.

A new automated small size lidar system (microlidar or MULID) has been developed and employed to perform aerosol measurements since March 2010 at Ny Å lesund (78.9°N, 11.9°E), Svalbard. The lidar observations have been used to estimate the PBL height by using the gradient method based on abrupt changes in the vertical aerosol profile and monitor its temporal evolution. The scope of the present study is to compare several approaches to estimate the PBL height, by using lidar observations, meteorological measurements by radio soundings, and a zero-order one-dimensional model based on a parameterization of the turbulent kinetic energy budget within the mixing layer, under the assumptions of horizontal homogeneity, and neglecting radiation and latent heat effects. A case study is presented here for a convective PBL, observed in June 2010 in order to verify whether the Gradient Method can be applied to lidar measurements in the Arctic region to obtain the PBL height. The results obtained are in good agreement with the PBL height estimated by the analysis of thermodynamic measurements obtained from radio sounding and with the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New particle formation (NPF), which generates nucleation mode aerosol, was observed in the tropical Upper Troposphere (UT) and Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL) by in situ airborne measurements over South America (January-March 2005), Australia (November-December 2005), West Africa (August 2006) and Central America (2004-2007). Particularly intense NPF was found at the bottom of the TTL. Measurements with a set of condensation particle counters (CPCs) with different dp50 (50% lower size detection efficiency diameter or "cut-off diameter") were conducted on board the M-55 Geophysica in the altitude range of 12.0-20.5 km and on board the DLR Falcon-20 at up to 11.5 km altitude. Onboard the NASA WB-57F size distributions were measured over Central America in the 4 to 1000 nm diameter range with a system of nucleation mode aerosol spectrometers. Nucleation mode particle concentrations were derived from these measurements which allow for identifying many NPF events with Nnm in the range of thousands of particles per cm³. Over Australia and West Africa, we identified NPF in the outflow of tropical convection, in particular of a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS). Newly formed particles with NNm > 1000 cm-3 were found to coexist with ice cloud particles (dp > 2 µm) as long as cloud particle concentrations remained below 2 cm-3. The occurrence of NPF within the upper troposphere and the TTL was generally confined within 340 K to 380 K potential temperature, but NPF was of particular strength between 350 K and 370 K (i.e. ~ 1-4 km below the cold point tropopause). Analyses of the aerosol volatility (at 250 °C) show that in the TTL on average 75-90 % of the particles were volatile, compared to typically only 50 % in the extra-tropical UT, indicative for the particles to mainly consist of H2SO4-H2O and possibly organic compounds. Along two flight segments over Central and South America (24 February 2005 and 7 August 2006, at 12.5 km altitude) in cloud free air, above thin cirrus, particularly high Nnm were observed. Recent lifting had influenced the probed air masses, and Nnm reached up to 16 000 particles cm-3 (ambient concentration). A sensitivity study using an aerosol model, which includes neutral and ion induced nucleation processes, simulates Nnm in reasonable agreement with the in situ observations of clear-air NPF. Based on new, stringent multi-CPC criteria, our measurements corroborate the hypothesis that the tropical UT and the TTL are regions supplying freshly nucleated particles. Our findings narrow the altitude of the main source region to the bottom TTL, i.e. to the level of main tropical convection outflow, and, by means of measurements of carbon monoxide, they indicate the importance of anthropogenic emissions in NPF. After growth and/or coalescence the nucleation mode particles may act as cloud condensation nuclei in the tropical UT, or, upon ascent into the stratosphere, contribute to maintain the stratospheric background aerosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to measure the consistency between the particle volume backscatter coefficient observed by the backscattersonde and the same parameter retrieved by the theory of optical scattering applied to particle size distributions as measured by the FSSP-100. The study states that an FSSP-100 Optical Particle Counter is designed to count particles in the micron range. Moreover, it discusses the relationship between backscattersond and microphysical bulk properties.

The article presents a study which determines and discusses the consistency between the particle volume backscatter coefficient observed by the backscattersonde and the same parameter retrieved by the optical scattering theory. It notes the time series depicted on the study such as the black line that represents the aerosol backscattering coefficient and the shaded area that represents the parameters retrieved. It also shows the mean value and deviations of the particle densities.

During June, July and August 2006 five aircraft took part in a campaign over West Africa to observe the aerosol content and chemical composition of the troposphere and lower stratosphere as part of the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) project. These are the first such measurements in this region during the monsoon period. In addition to providing an overview of the tropospheric composition, this paper provides a description of the measurement strategy (flights performed, instrumental payloads, wing-tip to wing-tip comparisons) and points to some of the important findings discussed in more detail in other papers in this special issue. The ozone data exhibits an "S" shaped vertical profile which appears to result from significant losses in the lower troposphere due to rapid deposition to forested areas and photochemical destruction in the moist monsoon air, and convective uplift of ozone-poor air to the upper troposphere. This profile is disturbed, particularly in the south of the region, by the intrusions in the lower and middle troposphere of air from the southern hemisphere impacted by biomass burning. Comparisons with longer term data sets suggest the impact of these intrusions on West Africa in 2006 was greater than in other recent wet seasons. There is evidence for net photochemical production of ozone in these biomass burning plumes as well as in urban plumes, in particular that from Lagos, convective outflow in the upper troposphere and in boundary layer air affected by nitrogen oxide emissions from recently wetted soils. This latter effect, along with enhanced deposition to the forested areas, contributes to a latitudinal gradient of ozone in the lower troposphere. Biogenic volatile organic compounds are also important in defining the composition both for the boundary layer and upper tropospheric convective outflow. Mineral dust was found to be the most abundant and ubiquitous aerosol type in the atmosphere over Western Africa. Data collected within AMMA indicate that injection of dust to altitudes favourable for long-range transport (i.e. in the upper Sahelian planetary boundary layer) can occur behind the leading edge of mesoscale convective system (MCS) cold-pools. Research within AMMA also provides the first estimates of secondary organic aerosols across the West African Sahel and have shown that organic mass loadings vary between 0 and 2 μgm-3 with a median concentration of 1.07 μgm-3. The vertical distribution of nucleation mode particle concentrations reveals that significant and fairly strong particle formation events did occur for a considerable fraction of measurement time above 8 km (and only there). Very low concentrations were observed in general in the fresh outflow of active MCSs, likely as the result of efficient wet removal of aerosol particles due to heavy precipitation inside the convective cells of the MCSs. This wet removal initially affects all particle size ranges as clearly shown by all measurements in the vicinity of MCSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne in-situ observations of ClO in the tropics were made during the TROCCINOX (Aracatuba, Brasil, February 2005) and SCOUT-O3 (Darwin, Australia, November/ December 2005) field campaigns. While during most flights significant amounts of ClO ( ≈10-20 parts per trillion, ppt) were present only in aged stratospheric air, instances of enhanced ClO mixing ratios of up to 40 ppt - significantly exceeding those expected from gas phase chemistry - were observed in air masses of a more tropospheric character. Most of these observations concur with low temperatures or with the presence of cirrus clouds (often both), suggesting that cirrus ice particles and/or liquid aerosol at low temperatures may promote significant heterogeneous chlorine activation in the tropical upper troposphere lower stratosphere (UTLS). In two case studies, particularly high levels of ClO observed were reproduced by chemistry simulations only under the assumption that significant denoxification had occurred in the observed air. At least for one of these flights, a significant denoxification is in contrast to the observed NO levels suggesting that the coupling of chlorine and nitrogen compounds in the tropical UTLS may not be completely understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processes occurring in the tropical upper troposphere (UT), the Tropical Transition Layer (TTL), and the lower stratosphere (LS) are of importance for the global climate, for stratospheric dynamics and air chemistry, and for their influence on the global distribution of water vapour, trace gases and aerosols. In this contribution we present aerosol and trace gas (in-situ) measurements from the tropical UT/LS over Southern Brazil, Northern Australia, and West Africa. The instruments were operated on board of the Russian high altitude research aircraft M-55 "Geophysica" and the DLR Falcon-20 during the campaigns TROCCINOX (Araçatuba, Brazil, February 2005), SCOUT-O3 (Darwin, Australia, December 2005), and SCOUT-AMMA (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, August 2006). The data cover submicron particle number densities and volatility from the COndensation PArticle counting System (COPAS), as well as relevant trace gases like N2O, ozone, and CO. We use these trace gas measurements to place the aerosol data into a broader atmospheric context. Also a juxtaposition of the submicron particle data with previous measurements over Costa Rica and other tropical locations between 1999 and 2007 (NASA DC-8 and NASA WB-57F) is provided. The submicron particle number densities, as a function of altitude, were found to be remarkably constant in the tropical UT/LS altitude band for the two decades after 1987. Thus, a parameterisation suitable for models can be extracted from these measurements. Compared to the average levels in the period between 1987 and 2007 a slight increase of particle abundances was found for 2005/2006 at altitudes with potential temperatures, Θ, above 430 K. The origins of this increase are unknown except for increases measured during SCOUT-AMMA. Here the eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in the Caribbean caused elevated particle mixing ratios. The vertical profiles from Northern hemispheric mid-latitudes between 1999 and 2006 also are compact enough to derive a parameterisation. The tropical profiles all show a broad maximum of particle mixing ratios (between Θ≈340K and 390 K) which extends from below the TTL to above the thermal tropopause. Thus these particles are a "reservoir" for vertical transport into the stratosphere. The ratio of nonvolatile particle number density to total particle number density was also measured by COPAS. The vertical profiles of this ratio have a maximum of 50% above 370K over Australia and West Africa and a pronounced minimum directly below. Without detailed chemical composition measurements a reason for the increase of non-volatile particle fractions cannot yet be given. However, half of the particles from the tropical "reservoir" contain compounds other than sulphuric acid and water. Correlations of the measured aerosol mixing ratios with N2O and ozone exhibit compact relationships for the tropical data from SCOUT-AMMA, TROCCINOX, and SCOUT-O3. Correlations with CO are more scattered probably because of the connection to different pollution source regions. We provide additional data from the long distance transfer flights to the campaign sites in Brazil, Australia, and West-Africa. These were executed during a time window of 17 months within a period of relative volcanic quiescence. Thus the data represent a "snapshot picture" documenting the status of a significant part of the global UT/LS fine aerosol at low concentration levels 15 years after the last major (i.e., the 1991 Mount Pinatubo) eruption. The corresponding latitudinal distributions of the measured particle number densities are presented in this paper to provide data of the UT/LS background aerosol for modelling purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trace gas and aerosol data collected in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) between 12-18.5 km by the M55 Geophysica aircraft as part of the SCOUT-AMMA campaign over West Africa during the summer monsoon in August 2006 have been analysed in terms of 5 their air mass origins. Analysis of domain filling back trajectories arriving over West Africa, and in the specific region of the flights, showed that the M55 flights were generally representative of air masses arriving overWest Africa during the first 2 weeks of August, 2006. Air originating from the mid-latitude lower stratosphere was undersampled (in the mid-upper TTL) whilst air masses uplifted from central Africa (into the lower TTL) were over-sampled in the latter part of the campaign. Signatures of recent (previous 10 days) origins were superimposed on the large-scale westerly flow over West Africa. In the lower TTL, air masses were impacted by recent local deep convection over Africa at the level of main convective outflow (350 K, 200 hPa) and on certain days up to 370 K (100 hPa). Estimates of the fraction of air masses influenced by local convection vary from 10 to 50% depending on the method applied and from day to day during the campaign. The analysis shows that flights on 7, 8 and 11 August were more influenced by local convection than on 4 and 13 August allowing separation of trace gas and aerosol measurements into "convective" and "non-convective" flights. Strong signatures, particularly in short-lived species like CO, NO and fine-mode aerosols were seen during flights most influenced by convection up to 350-365 K. Observed profiles were also constantly perturbed by uplift (as high as 39%) of air masses from the mid to lower troposphere over Asia, India, and oceanic regions resulting in import of clean oceanic (e.g., O3-poor) or polluted air masses from Asia (high O3, CO, CO2) into West Africa. Thus, recent uplift of CO2 over Asia may contribute to the observed positive CO2 gradients in the TTL over West Africa. This suggests a more significant fraction of younger air masses in the TTL making it difficult to derive mean age of air from average gradients. Transport of air masses from the mid-latitude lower stratosphere had an impact from the mid-TTL upwards (20-40% above 370 K) during the campaign period importing air masses with high O3 and NOy. Ozone profiles show a less pronounced lower TTL minimum than observed previously by regular ozonesondes at other tropical locations. Concentrations are less than 100 ppbv in the lower TTL and vertical gradients less steep than in the upper TTL. The air mass origin analysis and simulations of in-situ net photochemical O3 production, initialised with observations, suggest that the lower TTL is significantly impacted by uplift of O3 precursors (over Africa and Asia) leading to positive production rates (up to 2 ppbv per day) in the lower and mid TTL even at moderate NOx levels. Photochemical O3 production increases with higher NOx and H2O in air masses with O3 less than 150 ppbv. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollutant plumes with enhanced concentrations of trace gases and aerosols were observed over the southern coast of West Africa during August 2006 as part of the AMMA wet season field campaign. Plumes were observed both in the mid and upper troposphere. In this study we examined the origin of these pollutant plumes, and their potential to photochemically produce ozone (O3) downwind over the Atlantic Ocean. Their possible contribution to the Atlantic O3 maximum is also discussed. Runs using the BOLAM mesoscale model including biomass burning carbon monoxide (CO) tracers were used to confirm an origin from central African biomass burning fires. The plumes measured in the mid troposphere (MT) had significantly higher pollutant concentrations over West Africa compared to the upper tropospheric (UT) plume. The mesoscale model reproduces these differences and the two different pathways for the plumes at different altitudes: transport to the northeast of the fire region, moist convective uplift and transport to West Africa for the upper tropospheric plume versus north-west transport over the Gulf of Guinea for the mid-tropospheric plume. Lower concentrations in the upper troposphere are mainly due to enhanced mixing during upward transport. Model simulations suggest that MT and UT plumes are 16 and 14 days old respectively when measured over West Africa. The ratio of tracer concentrations at 600 hPa and 250 hPa was estimated for 14-15 August in the region of the observed plumes and compares well with the same ratio derived from observed carbon dioxide (CO2) enhancements in both plumes. It is estimated that, for the period 1-15 August, the ratio of Biomass Burning (BB) tracer concentration transported in the UT to the ones transported in the MT is 0.6 over West Africa and the equatorial South Atlantic. Runs using a photochemical trajectory model, CiTTy- CAT, initialized with the observations, were used to estimate in-situ net photochemical O3 production rates in these plumes during transport downwind of West Africa. The mid-troposphere plume spreads over altitude between 1.5 and 6 km over the Atlantic Ocean. Even though the plume was old, it was still very photochemically active (mean net O3 production rates over 10 days of 2.6 ppbv/day and up to 7 ppbv/day during the first days) above 3 km especially during the first few days of transport westward. It is also shown that the impact of high aerosol loads in the MT plume on photolysis rates serves to delay the peak in modelled O3 concentrations. These results suggest that a significant fraction of enhanced O3 in mid-troposphere over the Atlantic comes from BB sources during the summer monsoon period. According to simulated occurrence of such transport, BB may be the main source for O3 enhancement in the equatorial south Atlantic MT, at least in August 2006. The upper tropospheric plume was also still photochemically active, although mean net O3 production rates were slower (1.3 ppbv/day). The results suggest that, whilst the transport of BB pollutants to the UT is variable (as shown by the mesoscale model simulations), pollution from biomass burning can make an important contribution to additional photochemical production of O3 in addition to other important sources such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) from lightning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During June, July and August 2006 five aircraft took part in a campaign overWest Africa to observe the aerosol content and chemical composition of the troposphere and lower stratosphere as part of the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) project. These are the first such measurements in this region during the monsoon period. In addition to providing an overview of the tropospheric composition, this paper provides a description of the measurement strategy (flights performed, instrumental payloads, wing-tip to wing-tip comparisons) and points to some of the important findings discussed in more detailed in other papers in this special issue. The ozone data exhibits an "S" shaped vertical profile which appears to result from significant losses in the lower troposphere due to rapid deposition to forested areas and photochemical destruction in the moist monsoon air, and convective uplift of O3-poor air to the upper troposphere. This profile is disturbed, particularly in the south of the region, by the intrusions in the lower and middle troposphere of air from the Southern Hemisphere impacted by biomass burning. Comparisons with longer term data sets suggest the impact of these intrusions on West Africa in 2006 was greater than in other recent wet seasons. There is evidence for net photochemical production of ozone in these biomass burning plumes as well as in urban plumes, in particular that from Lagos, convective outflow in the upper troposphere and in boundary layer air affected by nitrogen oxide emissions from recently wetted soils. This latter effect, along with enhanced deposition to the forested areas, contributes to a latitudinal gradient of ozone in the lower troposphere. Biogenic volatile organic compounds are also important in defining the composition both for the boundary layer and upper tropospheric convective outflow. Mineral dust was found to be the most abundant and ubiquitous aerosol type in the atmosphere over Western Africa. Data collected within AMMA indicate that injection of dust to altitudes favourable for long-range transport (i.e. in the upper Sahelian planetary boundary layer) can occur behind the leading edge of mesoscale convective system (MCS) cold-pools. Research within AMMA also provides the first estimates of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) across the West African Sahel and have shown that organic mass loadings vary between 0 and 2 μgm-3 with a median concentration of 1.07 μgm-3. The vertical distribution of nucleation mode particle concentrations reveals that significant and fairly strong particle formation events did occur for a considerable fraction of measurement time above 8km (and only there). Very low aerosol concentrations were observed in general in the fresh outflow of active MCSs, likely as the result of efficient wet removal of aerosol particles due to heavy precipitation inside the convective cells of the MCSs. This wet removal initially affects all particle size ranges as clearly shown by all measurements in the vicinity of MCSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-platform field measurement campaign involving aircraft and balloons took place overWest Africa between 26 July and 25 August 2006, in the frame of the concomitant AMMA Special Observing Period and SCOUT-O3 African tropical activities. Specifically aiming at sampling the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, the high-altitude research aircraft M55 Geophysica was deployed in Ouagadougou (12.3° N, 1.7° W), Burkina Faso, in conjunction with the German D-20 Falcon, while a series of stratospheric balloons and sonde flights were conducted from Niamey (13.5° N, 2.0° E), Niger. Altogether, these measurements were intended to provide experimental evidence for a better understanding of large scale transport, assessing the effect of lightning on NOx production, and studying the impact of intense mesoscale convective systems on water, aerosol, dust and chemical species in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The M55 Geophysica carried out five local and four transfer flights between southern Europe and the Sahel and back, while eight stratospheric balloons and twenty-nine sondes were flown from Niamey. These experiments allowed a characterization of the tropopause and lower stratosphere of the region. The paper provides an overview of SCOUT-AMMA campaign activities together with a description of the meteorology of the African monsoon and the situation prevailing during the flights and a brief summary of the observations accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the analysis of the impact of convection on the composition of the tropical tropopause layer region (TTL) in West-Africa during the AMMA-SCOUT campaign. Geophysica M55 aircraft observations of water vapor, ozone, aerosol and CO2 show perturbed values at altitudes ranging from 14 km to 17 km (above the main convective outflow) and satellite data indicates that air detrainment is likely originated from convective cloud east of the flight. Simulations of the BOLAM mesoscale model, nudged with infrared radiance temperatures, are used to estimate the convective impact in the upper troposphere and to assess the fraction of air processed by convection. The analysis shows that BOLAM correctly reproduces the location and the vertical structure of convective outflow. Model-aided analysis indicates that in the outflow of a large convective system, deep convection can largely modify chemical composition and aerosol distribution up to the tropical tropopause. Model analysis also shows that, on average, deep convection occurring in the entire Sahelian transect (up to 2000 kmE of the measurement area) has a non negligible role in determining TTL composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suite of diagnostics is applied to in-situ aircraft measurements and one Chemistry-Climate Model (CCM) data to characterize the vertical structure of the Tropical Tropopause Layer (TTL). The diagnostics are based on vertical tracer profiles and relative vertical tracer gradients, using tropopause-referenced coordinates, and tracer-tracer relationships in the tropical Upper Troposphere/Lower Stratosphere (UT/LS). Observations were obtained during four tropical campaigns performed from 1999 to 2006 with the research aircraft Geophysica and have been compared to the output of the ECHAM5/MESSy CCM. The model vertical resolution in the TTL (~500 m) allows for appropriate comparison with high-resolution aircraft observations and the diagnostics used highlight common TTL features between the model and the observational data. The analysis of the vertical profiles of water vapour, ozone, and nitrous oxide, in both the observations and the model, shows that concentration mixing ratios exhibit a strong gradient change across the tropical tropopause, due to the role of this latter as a transport barrier and that transition between the tropospheric and stratospheric regimes occurs within a finite layer. The use of relative vertical ozone and carbon monoxide gradients, in addition to the vertical profiles, helps to highlight the region where this transition occurs and allows to give an estimate of its thickness. The analysis of the CO-O3 and H2O-O3 scatter plots and of the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of the H2O-O3 pair completes this picture as it allows to better distinguish tropospheric and stratospheric regimes that can be identified by their different chemical composition. The joint analysis and comparison of observed and modelled data allows to state that the model can represent the background TTL structure and its seasonal variability rather accurately. The model estimate of the thickness of the interface region between tropospheric and stratospheric regimes agrees well with average values inferred from observations. On the other hand, the measurements can be influenced by regional scale variability, local transport processes as well as deep convection, that can not be captured by the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method has been developed for calibration of the depolarization measurement of an atmospheric lidar. The technique requires a simple polarizer, and can be performed without interfering with the measurement set-up. The theoretical background of the procedure will be given and results of this calibration procedure on the tropospheric stratospheric aerosol lidar in McMurdo will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-platform field measurement campaign involving aircraft and balloons took place over West Africa between 26 July and 25 August 2006, in the frame of the concomitant AMMA Special Observing Period and SCOUT-O3 African tropical activities. Specifically aiming at sampling the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, the high-altitude research aircraft M55 Geophysica was deployed in Ouagadougou (12.3° N, 1.7° W), Burkina Faso, in conjunction with the German D-20 Falcon, while a series of stratospheric balloon and sonde flights were conducted from Niamey (13.5° N, 2.0° E), Niger. The stratospheric aircraft and balloon flights intended to gather experimental evidence for a better understanding of large scale transport, assessing the effect of lightning on NOx production, and studying the impact of intense mesoscale convective systems on water, aerosol, dust and chemical species in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The M55 Geophysica carried out five local and four transfer flights between southern Europe and the Sahel and back, while eight stratospheric balloons and twenty-nine sondes were flown from Niamey. These experiments allowed a characterization of the tropopause and lower stratosphere of the region. We provide here an overview of the campaign activities together with a description of the general meteorological situation during the flights and a summary of the observations accomplished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollutant plumes with enhanced levels of trace gases and aerosols were observed over the southern coast of West Africa during August 2006 as part of the AMMA wet season field campaign. Plumes were observed both in the mid and upper troposphere. In this study we examined both the origin of these pollutant plumes and their potential to produce O3 downwind over the Atlantic Ocean. Runs using the BOLAM mesoscale model including biomass burning CO tracers were used to confirm an origin from central African fires. The plumes in the mid troposphere had significantly higher pollutant concentrations due to the fact that transport occurred from a region nearer or even over the fire region. In contrast, plumes transported into the upper troposphere over West Africa had been transported to the north-east of the fire region before being uplifted. Modelled tracer results showed that pollutants resided for between 9 and 12 days over Central Africa before being transported for 4 days, in the case of the mid-troposphere plume and 2 days in the case of the upper tropospheric plume to the measurement location over the southern part of West Africa. Around 35% of the biomass burning tracer was transported into the upper troposphere compared to that remaining in the mid troposphere. Runs using a photochemical trajectory model, CiTTyCAT, were used to estimate the net photochemical O3 production potential of these plumes. The mid tropospheric plume was still very photochemically active (up to 7 ppbv/day) especially during the first few days of transport westward over the Atlantic Ocean. The upper tropospheric plume was also still photochemically active, although at a slower rate (1-2 ppbv/day). Trajectories show this plume being recirculated around an upper tropospheric anticyclone back towards the African continent (around 20°S). The potential of theses plumes to produce O3 supports the hypothesis that biomass burning population are contributing to the observed O3 maxima over the southern Atlantic at this time of year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-weight microlidar and water vapour measurements were taken on-board a stratospheric balloon during the HIBISCUS 2004 campaign, held in Bauru, Brazil (49°W, 22° S). Cirrus clouds were observed throughout the flight between 12 and 15 km height with a high mesoscale variability in optical and microphysical properties. It was found that the cirrus clouds were composed of different layers characterized by marked differences in height, thickness and optical properties. Simultaneous water vapour observations show that the different layers are characterized by different values of the saturation with respect to ice. A mesoscale simulation and a trajectory analysis clearly revealed that the clouds had formed in the outflow of a large and persistent convective region and that the observed variability of the optical properties and of the cloud structure is likely linked to the different residence times of the convectively-processed air in the upper troposphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The treatment of buccal gingival recessions is a common requirement due to aesthetic concern or root sensitivity. The aim of this manuscript was to systematically review the literature on coronally advanced flap (CAF) alone or in combination with tissue grafts, barrier membranes (BM), enamel matrix derivative (EMD) or other material for treating gingival recession. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized clinical trials on treatment of Miller Class I and II gingival recessions with at least 6 months of follow-up were identified. Data sources included electronic databases and hand-searched journals. The primary outcome variable was complete root coverage (CRC). The secondary outcome variables were recession reduction, clinical attachment gain, keratinized tissue gain, aesthetic satisfaction, root sensitivity, post-operative patient pain and complications. RESULTS: A total of 794 Miller Class I and II gingival recessions in 530 patients from 25 RCTs were evaluated in this systematic review. CAF was associated with mean recession reduction and CRC. The addition of connective tissue graft (CTG) or EMD enhanced the clinical outcomes of CAF in terms of CRC, while BM did not. The results with respect to the adjunctive use of acellular dermal matrix were controversial. CONCLUSIONS: CTG or EMD in conjunction with CAF enhances the probability of obtaining CRC in Miller Class I and II single gingival recessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Dental implants are widely used to replace lost teeth. It was suggested that surgical manipulation/augmentation of peri-implant soft tissue may be beneficial to increase the width/thickness of keratinized tissue (KT) and to enhance aesthetic outcomes of implant therapy. The aim of this paper was to provide a narrative review of the literature concerning soft tissue management at implant sites. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical studies were identified with both medline and hand searches. Three topics were considered in this review: (i) the significance of KT at implant sites, (ii) the surgical techniques to increase KT and (iii) soft tissue stability around implants. RESULTS: Several papers concerning soft tissue management at implant sites were identified, mainly expert opinions, case reports and case series. In addition, a systematic review was selected. Generally, the level of evidence was weak. So far, literature analysis showed that (i) the width of KT did not influence the survival rate of dental implants; (ii) there is no evidence to recommend a specific technique to preserve/augment KT; and (iii) factors including bone level, KT and implant features have not been shown to be associated with future mucosal recession around dental implants. CONCLUSION: Although scientific evidence in most part is lacking, soft tissue augmentation at implant sites may need to be considered in some clinical situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the APE-THESEO mission in the Indian Ocean the Myasishchev Design Bureau stratospheric research aircraft M55 Geophysica performed a flight over and within the inner core region of tropical cyclone Davina. Measurements of total water, water vapour, temperature, aerosol backscattering, ozone and tracers were made and are discussed here in comparison with the averages of those quantities acquired during the campaign time frame. Temperature anomalies in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL), warmer than average in the lower part and colder than average in the upper TTL were observed. Ozone was strongly reduced compared to its average value, and thick cirrus decks were present up to the cold point, sometimes topped by a layer of very dry air. Evidence for meridional transport of trace gases in the stratosphere above the cyclone was observed and perturbed water distribution in the TTL was documented. The paper discuss possible processes of dehydration induced by the cirrus forming above the cyclone, and change in the chemical tracer and water distribution in the lower stratosphere 400-430K due to meridional transport from the mid-latitudes and link with Davina. Moreover it compares the data prior and after the cyclone passage to discuss its actual impact on the atmospheric chemistry and thermodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between severe periodontitis and sub-clinical atherosclerosis in young (< or =40 years) systemically healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety systemically healthy subjects, 45 affected by severe periodontitis (mean age 36.35+/-3.65 years) and 45 controls without a history of periodontal disease (mean age 33.78+/-3.28 years), were enrolled in this study. Patients and controls were paired for age, gender, body mass index and smoking habits. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was bilaterally assessed by ultrasonography at the level of common carotid artery. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerosis were also evaluated. RESULTS: The overall mean carotid IMT was 0.82+/-0.13 mm in the test group and 0.72+/-0.07 mm in the control group ( p<0.0001). Stepwise regression analysis showed that periodontitis ( p<0.0001) and regular physical activity ( p=0.0009) were predictor variables of overall mean carotid IMT. When considering an IMT> or =0.82 mm as the critical index of increased cardiovascular risk, periodontal patients overcame this threshold compared with healthy patients by an odds ratio=8.55 [confidence interval 95%: 2.38; 39.81]. No investigated haemostatic variable was associated with increased carotid IMT. CONCLUSION: Severe periodontitis is associated with sub-clinical atherosclerosis in young systemically healthy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The Aims of this retrospective study were: (i) to describe the applicability of Fibre Retention Osseous Resective Surgery (FibReORS) to infrabony defects with different radiographic depths and (ii) to identify significant anatomical elements associated with the decision of tooth extraction or application of FibReORS in the context of a treatment approach aimed at pocket elimination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Baseline radiographs with detectable infrabony defects were collected from 68 periodontal patients. Selected teeth with radiographic evidence of infrabony defects had probing depths (PD) >4 mm at revaluation following non-surgical periodontal therapy. Teeth were then surgically treated with FibReORS or extracted on the basis of the decision making of an experienced periodontist and in the context of the overall treatment plan. The total root length and the defect depth were quantified for each selected tooth using radiographic reference points. RESULTS: A total of 324 teeth with infrabony defects were identified. Fifty-three (16%) teeth with a mean radiographic infrabony defect of 8.5+/-1.7 mm (range 6-12 mm) were extracted; 271 (84%) teeth with a mean infrabony defect of 3.0+/-1.4 mm (1-8 mm) were surgically treated, achieving PD < or =3 mm in all sites at 6-month follow-up. Surgically treated teeth showed baseline radiographic infrabony defects < or =4 mm in 86% of the cases. Logistic multilevel modelling indicated that the probability of extraction was influenced by root length (p=0.0230) and by the radiographic defect depth (p=0.0112). CONCLUSION: FibReORS is applicable in the treatment of shallow to moderate bony defects and deeper defects associated with longer roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]