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Aims: This review is aiming on identifying the ideal implant-prosthetic treatment design in patients with OLP., Methods and Results: A systematic review was conducted using four electronic databases; Medline (PubMed), Cochrane library, DOAJ and SCOPUS, following the PRISMA statement recommendations to answer the PICO question: "which implant-prosthetic treatment design is most useful to ensure implant survival in OLP patients?". The study was pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD 42020220102). Included articles quality was assessed using the "Newcastle-Ottawa scale" and the JBI critical appraisal tool for case series. No article was found specifically designed to analyze the prosthetic influence on implant survival in OLP patients. Despite, information about implant-prostheses in studies designed with other goals was compiled. Eight articles that involved 141 patients and 341 implants were finally selected. The weighted mean follow-up was 38 months and the weighted mean survival of the implants 98.9%. No statistical differences were observed between cemented or screw retained prostheses and the materials employed or the technology to manufacture the prostheses., Conclusion: The influence of prosthetic design on implant survival in OLP patients is still poorly understood, but important clinical recommendations can be drawn. The strength of evidence was grade 3b (CEBM) or low (GRADE)., (© 2021 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among cancer patients and to assess the nutritional and functional status of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Oncology unit of Beit Jala Governmental Hospital in Palestine., Methods: During the data collection period, all patients who received chemotherapy at the hospital's chemotherapy unit were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical data from the patients' files were used to determine nutritional status. The Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS) 2002 was used to assess the risk of malnutrition. The Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) was used to determine functional status. A three-day diet recall was used to determine dietary intake., Results: A total of 153 patients were included in the final analysis. The results revealed that 23.8% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition. Those who were not at risk of malnutrition had a marginally improved functional position. Furthermore, patients aged ≥65 years, males, smokers or former smokers, and those with four or more comorbidities had a significantly higher prevalence of malnutrition. In the logistic model, age >60 years was the only indicator of malnutrition., Conclusion: Malnutrition has a considerable prevalence in the study sample. However, the functional status of patients who were not at risk of malnutrition was marginally better than that of those with malnutrition risk., (© 2021 [The Author/The Authors].)

Purpose: There is paucity in the studies that assess dental implants replacing failed dental implants due to peri-implantitis. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of these implants in terms of implant survival and marginal bone loss., Methods: Patients in this retrospective study were selected if having one or more implants removed due to peri-implantitis and the placement and loading of dental implants in the same region from April 2010 to December 2019. Information was collected about the patient's demographic data, implant dimensions, surgical and prosthetic variables. Changes in peri-implant bone level, cumulative implant survival rate and technical complications were assessed., Results: Three hundred and eighty one dental implants in 146 patients that were placed in the same position or one-tooth position mesially/distally to the site of explantation were included. The patients' mean age was 63 ± 10 years. Ninety seven patients were females and 49 were males. After a mean follow-up of 34 ± 17 months, two implants failed. The cumulative survival rate was 99%. The marginal bone loss was -0.1 ± 0.6. Immediate or delay replacement of the failed implant did not affect implant survival or marginal bone stability. All the prostheses were screw-retained and presented the following complications: ceramic chipping (3 events), resin tooth fracture (1 event) and prosthetic screw loosening (1 event)., Conclusions: Dental implants replacing failed implants due to peri-implantitis would be an option in the management of peri-implantitis. They showed high survival rate and marginal bone stability., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The hyoid bone fracture has traditionally been attributed to strangulation and hanging. Although rare, ensuing its vague presentation, hyoid bone fracture is oftentimes overlooked and missed, leading to delayed complications. Herein, we are reporting an overlooked hyoid bone fracture in a man who attempted suicide by strangulating himself, whereby Valsalva manoeuvre performed during bedside flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy revealed the fractured segment. As the patient was stable and asymptomatic, he was successfully managed conservatively. We would like to highlight the awareness of the Valsalva manoeuvre, which could elicit hyoid bone fracture as missing or overlooking the fracture may lead to devastating complications which may ensue, such as respiratory distress., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Autosomal recessive (AR) STAT1 deficiency is a severe inborn error of immunity disrupting cellular responses to type I, II, and III IFNs, and IL-27, and conferring a predisposition to both viral and mycobacterial infections. We report the genetic, immunological, and clinical features of an international cohort of 32 patients from 20 kindreds: 24 patients with complete deficiency, and 8 patients with partial deficiency. Twenty-four patients suffered from mycobacterial disease (bacillus Calmette-Guérin = 13, environmental mycobacteria = 10, or both in 1 patient). Fifty-four severe viral episodes occurred in sixteen patients, mainly caused by Herpesviridae viruses. Attenuated live measles, mumps, and rubella and/or varicella zoster virus vaccines triggered severe reactions in the five patients with complete deficiency who were vaccinated. Seven patients developed features of hemophagocytic syndrome. Twenty-one patients died, and death was almost twice as likely in patients with complete STAT1 deficiency than in those with partial STAT1 deficiency. All but one of the eight survivors with AR complete deficiency underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Overall survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 64%. A diagnosis of AR STAT1 deficiency should be considered in children with mycobacterial and/or viral infectious diseases. It is important to distinguish between complete and partial forms of AR STAT1 deficiency, as their clinical outcome and management differ significantly., (Copyright © 2021 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.)

This paper attempts to ascertain the impacts of population density on the spread and severity of COVID-19 in Malaysia. Besides describing the spatio-temporal contagion risk of the virus, ultimately, it seeks to test the hypothesis that higher population density results in exacerbated COVID-19 virulence in the community. The population density of 143 districts in Malaysia, as per data from Malaysia's 2010 population census, was plotted against cumulative COVID-19 cases and infection rates of COVID-19 cases, which were obtained from Malaysia's Ministry of Health official website. The data of these three variables were collected between 19 January 2020 and 31 December 2020. Based on the observations, districts that have high population densities and are highly inter-connected with neighbouring districts, whether geographically, socio-economically, or infrastructurally, tend to experience spikes in COVID-19 cases within weeks of each other. Using a parametric approach of the Pearson correlation, population density was found to have a moderately strong relationship to cumulative COVID-19 cases ( p -value of 0.000 and R 2 of 0.415) and a weak relationship to COVID-19 infection rates ( p -value of 0.005 and R 2 of 0.047). Consequently, we provide several non-pharmaceutical lessons, including urban planning strategies, as passive containment measures that may better support disease interventions against future contagious diseases.

Background: Studies have suggested that atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) may be due to inflammation., Aim: To determine the highest association of AF among hospitalized RD patients and to determine morbidity and mortality associated with AF in hospitalized patients with RD., Methods: The National inpatient sample database from October 2015 to December 2017 was analyzed to identify hospitalized patients with RD with and without AF. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing outcomes of AF among different RD., Results: The prevalence of AF was 23.9% among all patients with RD ( n = 3949203). Among the RD subgroup, the prevalence of AF was highest in polymyalgia rheumatica (33.2%), gout (30.2%), and pseudogout (27.1%). After adjusting for comorbidities, the odds of having AF were increased with gout (1.25), vasculitis (1.19), polymyalgia rheumatica (1.15), dermatopolymyositis (1.14), psoriatic arthropathy (1.12), lupus (1.09), rheumatoid arthritis (1.05) and pseudogout (1.04). In contrast, enteropathic arthropathy (0.44), scleroderma (0.96), ankylosing spondylitis (0.96), and Sjorgen's syndrome (0.94) had a decreased association of AF. The mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization costs were higher in patients with RD having AF vs without AF. Among the RD subgroup, the highest mortality was found with scleroderma (4.8%), followed by vasculitis (4%) and dermatopolymyositis (3.5%)., Conclusion: A highest association of AF was found with gout followed by vasculitis, and polymyalgia rheumatica when compared to other RD. Mortality was two-fold higher in patients with RD with AF., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All other authors have nothing to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. One of the early signs of T2DM associated cardiovascular events is the development of vascular dysfunction. This dysfunction has been implicated in increasing the morbidity and mortality of T2DM patients. One of the important characteristics of vascular dysfunction is the impaired ability of endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide (NO). Additionally, decreases in the availability of NO is also a major contributor of this pathology. NO is produced by the activity of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) on its substrate, L-arginine. Reduced availability of L-arginine to eNOS has been implicated in vascular dysfunction in diabetes. Arginase, which metabolizes L-arginine to urea and ornithine, competes directly with NOS for L-arginine. Hence, increases in arginase activity can decrease arginine levels, reducing its availability to eNOS and decreasing NO production. Diabetes has been linked to elevated arginase and associated vascular endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to determine levels of plasma NO and arginase activity in (T2DM) patients and the effects of L-citrulline supplementation, a natural arginase inhibitor, on inhibiting arginase activity in these patients. Levels of arginase correlated with HbA1c levels in diabetic patients. Twenty-five patients received L-citrulline supplements (2000 mg/day) for 1 month. Arginase activity decreased by 21% in T2DM patients after taking L-citrulline supplements. Additionally, plasma NO levels increased by 38%. There was a modest improvement on H1Ac levels in these patients, though not statistically significant. The effect of L-citrulline on arginase activity was also studied in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) grown in high glucose (HG) conditions. HG (25 mM, 72 h) caused a 2-fold increase in arginase activity in BAECs and decreased NO production by 30%. L-citrulline (2.5 mM) completely prevented the increase in arginase activity and restored NO production levels. These data indicate that L-citrulline can have therapeutic benefits in diabetic patients through increasing NO levels and thus maintaining vascular function possibly through an arginase inhibition related pathway., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Shatanawi, Momani, Al-Aqtash, Hamdan and Gharaibeh.)

Background: The concept of bone tissue engineering has emerged as a novel alternative approach that comprises three essential components: osteogenic cells, osteoinductive signals and osteoconductive scaffolds. The low-speed drilling represents a useful and accessible autologous source for human alveolar bone-derived cells (hABCs). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two donor sites (healing sites (HS) and non-augmented healed sites (NAHS)) as a source of hABCs., Methods: Nineteen patients were enrolled in this study. The patients' demographic data were described. Bone type and dental implant location were also determined. The hABCs obtained were characterized. Apoptosis and sclerostin expression in the samples were also assessed with immunohistochemistry., Results: The hABCs left earlier the tissue explants of the HS than the NAHS. The proliferation of the hABCs had reached the sub-confluence stage in both groups. Cellular efficacy was not statistically significant between the two groups. The hABCs exhibited osteogenic phenotype as they expressed bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OP) and tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). In both groups, the level and the distribution pattern of apoptotic cells and sclerostin expression were similar., Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, both HS and NAHS were similarly effective to provide hABCs., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Narrow dental implants are commonly used to restore narrow alveolar ridges. Although the good performance of narrow dental implants supporting multiple prostheses has been repeatedly demonstrated, there are few studies analyzing their performance in a long-term follow-up together with the influence of the loading protocol. Thus, the objective was to assess the influence of implant loading protocol (immediate vs delayed) on the long-term outcomes of 3.0-mm-diameter dental implants supporting fixed multiple prostheses., Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 202 3.0-mm-diameter dental implants supporting multiple prostheses placed between January 2006 and April 2009. Immediate loading was performed when the implants were inserted in bone types I, II, and III and achieved an insertion torque ≥ 25 Ncm; otherwise, delayed loading was performed. The survival of the dental implants was recorded together with clinical and demographic information of the participants. The prosthetic complications (ceramic chipping, screw loosening, screw fracture, decementation, prosthesis failure) were also recorded. The marginal bone loss since insertion and the marginal bone loss since loading were calculated., Results: Delayed implant loading was performed in 131 implants and immediate loading in 71 implants. The follow-up time was 106 ± 40 months and 117 ± 38 months in the delayed and immediately loaded implants, respectively. The implant loading protocol (delayed vs immediate) showed no influence on the implant survival rate (96.2% vs 97.2%) and the marginal bone loss since insertion (1.2 ± 1.0 mm vs 1.2 ± 1.0 mm)., Conclusion: The implant loading protocol (immediate vs delayed) did not influence the long-term outcomes (survival and marginal bone loss) of 3.0-mm-diameter dental implants supporting fixed multiple prostheses. These results are in favor of considering immediately loaded narrow dental implants as a viable treatment alternative for horizontally resorbed ridges. Nevertheless, future randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm these observations.

Aim: This study investigated the effect of sodium citrate on the properties and biological activity of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF). Methods: PRGF was obtained from trisodium citrate and plain extraction tubes. Hematological parameters, growth factors' release kinetics from both PRGF clots and their releasates' biological effect on human bone cells were evaluated. Results: The platelet enrichment factor, the growth factors' content and the release kinetic of PRGF were similar for both groups. The proliferation, collagen type I synthesis and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase activity of human osteoblasts showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: The use of sodium citrate does not influence the composition, the growth factors' release kinetics or the biological effect of PRGF, but it increases its clinical versatility.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine whether the screw emergence angulation correction by computer-aided design (CAD)-computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) can influence implant survival and marginal bone stability., Materials and Methods:  This was a controlled split-mouth retrospective study of angled channel restorations. The dental implants supporting the prosthesis were divided into the following two groups: the first group (Group 1) included the implants that required screw channel angulation, while the second group (Group 2) included the implants that did not require this correction to screw the prosthesis to the implant. The main outcome variables were implant survival and marginal bone loss (MBL)., Results:  A total of 68 dental implants placed in 22 patients were included in the final cohort. The mean follow-up time was 39.65 ± 15.20 months. None of the studied implants failed during the follow-up period and the mean MBL was - 0.29 ± 0.51 mm at the end of the follow-up. No statistical differences in the MBL were observed between the two groups of the study (-0.18 ± 0.51 and - 0.23 ± 0.58 mm, respectively)., Conclusion:  The angulation of the screw channel with CAD-CAM technology resulted in good clinical outcomes and did not affect MBL. Thus, the angulated screw channel might be considered an alternative to face undesired screw emergencies. Future prospective clinical studies should confirm these results., Competing Interests: E.A. is the Scientific Director of BTI Biotechnology Institute (Vitoria, Spain). He is the Head of the Foundation Eduardo Anitua, Vitoria, Spain. He also has the patent of PRGF technology. M.H.A. and S.F.d-R. are scientists at BTI Biotechnology Institute. M.H.A. reports personal fees from BTI Biotechnology Institute during the conduct of the study; personal fees from BTI Biotechnology Institute outside the submitted work. E.A. reports personal fees from BTI Biotechnology Institute during the conduct of the study; personal fees from BTI Biotechnology Institute outside the submitted work. In addition, he has two patents, plasma-rich ingrowth factors, and dental implant system, both licensed to BTI Biotechnology Institute. S.F.d-R. reports personal fees from BTI Biotechnology Institute during the conduct of the study; personal fees from BTI Biotechnology Institute outside the submitted work.

Background: Asthma and atrial fibrillation (AF) share an underlying inflammatory pathophysiology. We hypothesized that persistent asthmatics are at higher risk for developing AF and that this association would be attenuated by adjustment for baseline markers of systemic inflammation., Methods: The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) is a prospective longitudinal study of adults free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Presence of asthma was determined at exam 1. Persistent asthma was defined as asthma requiring use of controller medications. Intermittent asthma was defined as asthma without use of controller medications. Participants were followed for a median of 12.9 (interquartile range, 10-13.6) years for incident AF. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess associations of asthma subtype and AF., Results: The 6615 participants were a mean (SD) 62.0 (10.2) years old (47% male, 27% black, 12% Chinese, and 22% Hispanic). AF incidence rates were 0.11 (95% CI, 0.01-0.12) events/10 person-years for nonasthmatics, 0.11 (95% CI, 0.08-0.14) events/10 person-years for intermittent asthmatics, and 0.19 (95% CI, 0.120.49) events/10 person-years for persistent asthmatics (log-rank P =0.008). In risk-factor adjusted models, persistent asthmatics had a greater risk of incident AF (hazard ratio, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.03-2.14], P =0.03). IL (Interleukin)-6 (hazard ratio, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.13-1.42]), TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α receptor 1 (hazard ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.08-1.11]) and D-dimer (hazard ratio, 1.10 [95% CI, 1.02-1.20]) predicted incident AF, but the relationship between asthma and incident AF was not attenuated by adjustment for any inflammation marker (IL-6, CRP [C-reactive protein], TNF-α R1, D-dimer, and fibrinogen)., Conclusions: In a large multiethnic cohort with nearly 13 years follow-up, persistent asthma was associated with increased risk for incident AF. This association was not attenuated by adjustment for baseline inflammatory biomarkers.

COVID-19 has grown into a global pandemic that has strained healthcare throughout the world. There is a sense of urgency in finding a cure for this deadly virus. In this study, we reviewed the empiric options used in common practice for COVID-19, based on the literature available online, with an emphasis on human experiences with these treatments on severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-COV-1) and other viruses. Convalescent blood products are the most promising potential treatment for use in COVID-19. The use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), remdesivir, and tocilizumab are some of the other promising potential therapies; however, they are yet to be tested in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The use of lopinavir-ritonavir did not prove beneficial in a large RCT. The use of corticosteroids should be avoided in COVID-19 pneumonia unless used for other indications, based on the suggestion of harm in patients with SARS-COV-1 and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Purpose: Short implants are a minimally invasive alternative in the management of alveolar bone atrophy. This study aimed to assess the influence of the surgical approach (1-stage vs 2-stage) on the 15-year survival and marginal bone loss of short implants in a fixed complete denture., Materials and Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted in a single private dental clinic that included short implants placed between January 2001 and December 2002., Results: Forty-one short implants supported 18 screw-retained complete dentures. The mean follow-up time was 15 ± 3 years. The surgical approach (1-stage vs 2-stage) did not significantly affect implant survival and marginal bone loss. The implant survival rate was 90.2%., Conclusions: Short dental implants could be predictably indicated to support fixed complete dentures. The implants could be placed through a 1- or 2-stage surgery.

Syncope is a commonly encountered and challenging problem in medical practice. Presentations are variable, and the causal mechanism often remains elusive even after extensive (and often expensive) evaluation. Clinical practice guidelines have been developed to help guide the multidisciplinary approach necessary to diagnose and manage the broad spectrum of patients presenting with syncope. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, in collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society, published its first syncope guidelines in 2017. The European Society of Cardiology released the fourth iteration of its syncope guidelines in 2018. This review highlights the differences and congruencies between the 2 sets of recommendations, their implications for clinical practice, the remaining gaps in understanding, and areas of future research., (Copyright © 2019 American College of Cardiology Foundation. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study assessed the survival and marginal bone loss of single-unit short implants (≤ 8 mm in length) in the premolar-molar area. It also compared cemented with screw-retained restoration., Materials and Methods: In this clinical retrospective study, short implants supporting a single crown in the premolar-molar region were selected. Demographic-, surgical-, implant-, and prosthesis-related data were obtained. The predictor variable was the type of prosthesis retention. The principal variables were survival rate and marginal bone loss. The secondary variables were prosthesis survival and technical and biologic complications., Results: A total of 113 patients (56 ± 11 years of age) with 128 short implants were assessed. The mean follow-up time from implant insertion was 25.47 ± 14.95 months. Fifty-one crowns were cemented and 77 were screw-retained. No failure events were recorded for the implants and the prostheses. The distal marginal bone loss was significantly lower in the screw-retained crowns than in the cemented crowns. Marginal bone loss ≥ 2 mm as a biologic complication was more frequent in the cemented crowns. Two screw-loosening events were observed in the screw-retained restorations. These events were resolved by screw retightening., Conclusion: Short implants could be an effective option to support a single-unit prosthesis in the premolar-molar areas of the maxillae.

Study Objectives: Night-to-night variability in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) may affect the accuracy of the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and treatment selection. This study was conducted to assess the utility of the standard error of measurement (SEM) in predicting the night-to-night variability in the OSA., Methods: Ninety nine patients underwent a 3-consecutive nights of sleep monitoring with a validated home portable monitoring devise (BTI-APNiA, BTI Biotechnology Institute, Vitoria, Spain). The night-to-night variability in apnea- and hypopnea-related measures and blood desaturation were assessed. The agreement between the three nights was also assessed. The SEM and the AHI of the first night were used to calculate a range for the severity of the OSA. This range was then challenged to predict the most frequent OSA severity, the OSA severity in nights 2 and 3, and the OSA severity in the three nights., Results: Ninety nine patients (mean age: 56±14 years) participated in the study. The mean body mass index was 25.4±4.0 Kg/m 2 and the mean score of Epworth questionnaire was 8±5. The AHI of the first, second and third nights were 13.96±13.46, 13.76±12.76 and 13.52±12.91 events/h, respectively. The night-to-night variability in the AHI and the sleep time in supine position over the three nights were not statistically significant. However, the differences in the severity of the OSA was statistically significant (range of agreement in the diagnosis: 41.7%-83.3%). The standard error of measurement (SEM) considering the AHI was 4.64 events/h.. The SEM was efficient in predicting the most frequent OSA severity (among the three nights) in more than 96% of the cases., Conclusions: The night-to-night variability in the AHI might affect the diagnosis of OSA. The use of standard error of measurement and the AHI of one single night would be of interest to predict the night-to-night variability in the severity of OSA.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to assess the influence of immediate loading and lengths of splinted implants on the clinical effectiveness of 6.5-mm-long implants supporting two-implant fixed prostheses in the premolar-molar regions., Materials and Methods: A clinical database was reviewed in a private dental center to select those patients who had 6.5-mm-long implants placed to support two-implant fixed partial prostheses in the premolar-molar regions of the maxilla and the mandible. All implants were immediately loaded. The study groups were defined according to the lengths of the implants. Two groups were identified: the short-short splinted group, when both implants had 6.5 mm lengths, and the short-long splinted group, when one implant was longer than 6.5 mm. A total of 48 dental implants were placed in 16 patients to support 24 two-implant fixed prostheses. The mean follow-up time was 14 ± 5 months. The short-short splinted group included 8 patients with 16 implants; the short-long splinted group included 16 patients with 32 implants. The main variable was implant survival, and secondary outcomes were marginal bone stability and prosthesis survival., Results: The statistical analyses indicated an absence of significant differences between the two groups in terms of implant and prosthesis survival (100% for both groups and both variables); however, distal bone loss around the splinted implants was significantly higher in the short-long splinted group. Bone loss was 0.37 ± 0.55 mm in the short-short splinted group and 0.94 ± 0.66 mm in the short-long splinted group., Conclusions: Immediate loading of short (6.5-mm-long) implants in the premolar-molar regions did not jeopardize their survival. Two-implant supported prostheses had the same clinical effectiveness, whether extra-short implants were splinted to another extra-short implant or to a longer one., (© 2018 by the American College of Prosthodontists.)

The autonomic nervous system is designed to maintain physiologic homeostasis. Its widespread connections make it vulnerable to disruption by many disease processes including primary etiologies such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, and pure autonomic failure and secondary etiologies such as diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, and immune-mediated illnesses. The result is numerous symptoms involving the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and urogenital systems. Patients with autonomic dysfunction (AUD) often have peripheral and/or cardiac denervation leading to impairment of the baroreflex, which is known to play a major role in determining hemodynamic outcome during orthostatic stress and low cardiac output states. Heart rate and plasma norepinephrine responses to orthostatic stress are helpful in diagnosing impairment of the baroreflex in patients with orthostatic hypotension (OH) and suspected AUD. Similarly, cardiac sympathetic denervation diagnosed with MIBG scintigraphy or 18 F-DA PET scanning has also been shown to be helpful in distinguishing preganglionic from postganglionic involvement and in diagnosing early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. In this chapter, we review the causes of AUD, the pathophysiology and resulting cardiovascular manifestations with emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of OH., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology permits the angular correction of screw emergence into the prosthesis; however, there is lack of controlled clinical studies that assess the frequency of technical complications in angled screw channel restorations. This controlled clinical study was designed to assess technical incidences in angled screw channel restorations. Patients who underwent placement of implant prosthesis between November 2014 and December 2015 were screened. The patients were selected if they received a prosthesis with up to 30° correction of the prosthesis screw emergence and had at least 1 nonangulated prosthesis (screw retained). All prostheses were located completely/partially in the posterior region. The frequency of technical complications was the principal variable. A total of 52 patients with a mean age of 62 ± 10 years participated, with a total of 110 prostheses (55 in the test group and 55 in the control group). A total of 11 technical complications occurred (7 in the test group and 4 in the control group). These differences were not statistically significant. All prostheses in both groups survived the follow-up. The correction of the screw emergence into the prosthesis has not increased the risk of technical complications in CAD-CAM implant prostheses.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and financial outcomes of a novel outreach syncope clinic. Methods We compared the clinical outcome of the Faint and Fall Clinic at the American Center (January-June 2016) with that of the University of Wisconsin Health and Clinics Faint and Fall Clinic (January 2013-December 2014). The American Center-Faint and Fall Clinic is run solely by a nurse practitioner, assisted by online faint-decision software and consultancy of a faint specialist through video-conferencing. Results Five hundred and twenty-eight consecutive patients were seen at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics-Faint and Fall Clinic and 68 patients at the American Center-Faint and Fall Clinic. The patients' clinical characteristics were similar except for a lower age in the American Center patients (45 ± 18 vs 51 ± 22, p = 0.03). Overall, a diagnosis was made within 45 days in 70% (95% confidence interval 66-74%) of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics patients and 69% (95% confidence interval 58-80%) of the American Center patients, ( p = 0.9). A mean of 3.0 ± 1.6 tests per patient was used in the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics group compared to 1.5 ± 0.8 tests per patient in the American Center group, p = 0.001. Over the six-month study period, the total revenue at the American Center was US$152,597 (contribution margin of US$122,393 plus professional revenue of US$30,204). The total cost of the nurse practitioner including benefits was US$66,662 ((US$98,466 salary/year + 35.4% benefits)/2). Total revenue minus expenses resulted in a net profit of US$85,935. Discussion A nurse practitioner-run outreach syncope-clinic equipped with online faint-decision software and consultancy of a faint specialist through vedio-conferencing is feasible and financially self-sustainable. It allows the dissemination of standardized high-quality syncope care to patients who have no immediate access to a tertiary teaching hospital.

Neuroendocrine syncope is a newly proposed term to embody both syncope of reflex and adenosine-related etiology. Recent publications on tilt testing have revealed the presence of a hypotensive tendency in some patients, even in the face of severe cardioinhibition. This new understanding may allow better selection of older reflex syncope patients, documented by ECG loop recorder, for successful pacing where tilt testing is ideally negative for a good result in terms of few syncope recurrences and prompts a less aggressive management policy when hypotensive medication is required. Furthermore, plasma adenosine levels not only define a new group of patients who have low adenosine and will respond well to cardiac pacing but also, by assessing adenosine receptor affinity, offer a possible explanation for vasodepression accompanying severe cardioinhibition. The question of the timing of loss of consciousness in reflex syncope needs to be addressed because, if consciousness is lost before asystole, pacing is likely to be ineffective., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Psychogenic pseudosyncope (PPS) frequently mimics syncope. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical features of PPS and its relationship to vasovagal syncope (VVS)., Methods: We examined retrospectively the medical records of 1,401 consecutive patients referred to a syncope unit. We identified patients who had the final diagnosis of PPS. In these patients, we retrieved the initial diagnosis made during their first visit and the subsequent tests performed leading to the final diagnosis., Results: Fourteen (1.0%) patients (mean age 35 ± 14; 11 females) were diagnosed as having PPS: seven had a diagnosis of PPS alone and seven had both VVS and PPS. High frequency of attacks (53 ± 35 attacks during the previous year), prolonged loss of consciousness (minutes to > 1 hour), and a history of psychiatric disorders characterized PPS patients. Tilt test reproduced a PPS attack in the presence of normal blood pressure and heart rate in seven patients (50%), and induced VVS in another three patients who had the final diagnosis of both PPS and VVS. In two patients, one or more events occurred during the clinic visits and were directly witnessed by the clinic personnel., Conclusions: We have shown that 1% of referrals to a syncope unit have the final diagnosis of PPS and that up to 50% of cases presented with a different initial diagnosis, namely VVS. Our findings suggest that causality between syncope and psychiatric disorders is likely bidirectional. The presence of a multidisciplinary team is important to address this often unrecognized relationship., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The mechanism of inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) remains incompletely understood., Methods and Results: We prospectively compared 3 patient groups: 11 patients with IST (IST Group), 9 control patients administered isoproterenol (Isuprel Group), and 15 patients with cristae terminalis atrial tachycardia (AT Group). P-wave amplitude in lead II and PR interval were measured at a lower and higher heart rate (HR1 and HR2, respectively). P-wave amplitude increased significantly with the increase in HR in the IST Group (0.16±0.07 mV at HR1=97±12 beats per minute versus 0.21±0.08 mV at HR2=135±21 beats per minute, P =0.001). The average increase in P-wave amplitude in the IST Group was similar to the Isuprel Group ( P =0.26). PR interval significantly shortened with the increases in HR in the IST Group (146±15 ms at HR1 versus 128±16 ms at HR2, P <0.001). A similar decrease in the PR interval was noted in the Isuprel Group ( P =0.6). In contrast, patients in the atrial tachycardia Group experienced PR lengthening during atrial tachycardia when compared with baseline normal sinus rhythm (153±25 ms at HR1=78±17 beats per minute versus 179±29 ms at HR2=140±28 beats per minute, P <0.01)., Conclusions: We have shown that HR increases in patients with IST were associated with an increase in P-wave amplitude in lead II and PR shortening similar to what is seen in healthy controls following isoproterenol infusion. The increase in P-wave amplitude and absence of PR lengthening in IST support an extrinsic mechanism consistent with a state of sympatho-excitation with cephalic shift in sinus node activation and enhanced atrioventricular nodal conduction., (© 2018 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.)

Background: Local deficit of several biomolecules have been described in oral lichen planus (OLP). Such a deficit impairs cellular functions and cell-matrix communication., Purpose: Assess the efficacy of the local application of autologous biomolecules in the treatment of erosive OLP., Materials and Methods: In this study, the use of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) as a source of blood-derived and autologous growth factors and proteins were tested in erosive oral lichen planus refractory to corticosteroids. Histopathological features of the disease were also analysed at the time of diagnosis. Clinical data were the number of recurrences and achievement of pain reduction and complete healing of the lesions. A total of 10 patients with erosive OLP refractory to treatment by corticosteroids were included in the study. All patients were females with a mean age of 48±12years., Results: A complete remission of the disease was achieved after one infiltration of PRGF in 8 patients. Only 2 patients required a total of 2 infiltrations to heal. Hydropic degeneration of the epithelium basal layer, band-like subepithelial lymphocytic infiltration and fibrin deposits in the epithelium were observed in all patients. Interestingly plasma cells were present in 2 patients. All patients presenting plasma cells healed after only one PRGF infiltration. However, 2 patients out of 6 (no plasma cells) required 2 infiltrations., Conclusions: The local administration of autologous local factors could overcome the deficit of biomolecular clues and thus improve cell functions and restore cell-matrix communication., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recently, components of the extracellular cellular matrix have been assessed to enhance the biological response to dental implants. This study aims to assess the effect of surface modification with calcium ions on the early marginal bone loss of dental implants placed in a transalveolarly augmented maxillary sinus., Methods: A retrospective study of transalveolar sinus floor augmentation was conducted in a single private dental clinic. The predictor variable was the surface of the dental implant. The primary outcome was the marginal bone loss. The secondary outcomes were the intraoperative complications and the dental implant failure. Descriptive analysis was performed for patients' demographic data and implant details., Results: Fifty-one patients with a mean age of 58 ± 11 years had a mean follow-up time of 13 months. Thirty-four dental implants had a Ca 2+ -modified hydrophilic surface, and 31 had no Ca 2 (control). The experimental group showed a statistically significant lower marginal bone loss (0.36 ± 0.42 vs 0.61 ± 0.39 mm). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the implant survival. No implant failed in the experimental group while two implants failed in the control group., Conclusions: The modification of an acid-etched surface with calcium ions seems to reduce the marginal bone remodeling around the dental implants, placed after transalveolar sinus floor elevation.

In dental traumatology, the loss of teeth and the supporting alveolar bone in children compromise the proper development of maxillofacial structures and also limit the solutions that can be offered. In this case report, multidisciplinary management is described of a child with a significant loss of alveolar bone and associated teeth due to a traffic accident at 8 years of age. The management involved staged teeth autotransplantation into surgically prepared sites with bone expanders, orthodontic treatment and dental implants. The 3D regeneration of the alveolar process was successfully stimulated by teeth autotransplantation. At the 4-year follow-up visit, evaluation of the autotransplanted teeth and the implants indicated a successful outcome for the patient., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to describe a protocol and analyze the outcomes of immediate replacement of failed implants due to peri-implantitis. A total of 17 patients (mean age: 58 ± 10 years) had 22 failed implants that were immediately replaced. One implant failed 16 months after insertion, resulting in an implant survival rate of 94.7%. The mean follow-up time was 40 ± 16 months (range: 9-52 months) after insertion. Mesial and distal bone loss were 0.89 ± 0.62 mm and 0.97 ± 0.66 mm, respectively. Immediate implant replacement could be considered in the management of implant failure due to peri-implantitis.

Objective: In the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with an oral appliance (OA), there is no gold standard method to fine-tune the mandibular advancement. This study aimed to analyze the effect of gradual increment of mandibular advancement on the evolution of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)., Methods: OSA patients were recruited from a sleep unit. All treatments started with an oral appliance without mandibular advancement. After two weeks, the AHI was assessed with respiratory polygraphy. Mandibular advancement was initiated with a step size of 1 mm and evolution in the AHI was assessed. The target protrusion was the one that achieved the highest reduction in AHI and the least side effects. Anthropometric data, sleep questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale score were obtained., Results: Thirty six patients (22 men) participated in this study. The patient's mean age was 57 ± 12 years and the body mass index was 25.4 ± 4.1 kg/m 2 . The oral appliance reduced the AHI from 20.8 ± 12.9/h to 8.4 ± 5.1/h (P = 0.000). Ten of the 26 patients with ≥50% reduction in AHI (39%) had zero advancement. The mean mandibular advancement was 1.7 ± 1.5 mm achieving ≥50% reduction in AHI in 72% of the patients. Twenty seven patients had an AHI <10/h. Of the 21 patients with moderate-severe OSA, 17 had the highest decrease in the AHI in a mandibular advancement ≤3 mm., Conclusions: Monitoring the subjective symptoms of the patient and objective evolution in the AHI could minimize the mandibular advancement needed for the treatment of OSA., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The efficacy of dual-chamber cardiac pacing in neuro-mediated reflex syncope with a cardio-inhibitory response to the Tilt-Table test (TT) has not been definitively assessed so far. The lack of reproducibility of results from previous studies may be partially explained by discrepancies in subject selection and some weaknesses in design and methods. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has set a class IIb indication to pacemaker implantation in this population recommending further research., Methods/design: The BIOSync study is a multicenter, patient- and outcome-assessor-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled trial with the objective of assessing the clinical benefit of cardiac pacing in patients with frequently recurrent reflex syncope, suspected (but not proven) to be triggered by asystolic pauses as showing a VASIS 2B response to the TT (>3-s pause regardless of blood pressure drop). The primary and secondary endpoints are time to first post-implantation recurrence of syncope or the combination of pre-syncope or syncope, respectively. One hundred and twenty-eight consenting patients will be 1:1 randomized to dual-chamber cardiac pacing 'on' or 'off' after pacemaker implantation, and followed up until the first adjudicated primary endpoint event for a maximum of 2 years. The so-called Closed Loop Stimulation function on top of dual-chamber pacing is the pacing mode selected in the study active arm. Participating patients are asked to self-report syncopal symptoms at least every 3 months with self-administered questionnaires addressed to an independent Adjudication Committee. Patients and members of the Adjudicating Committee are blinded to randomization. The study is designed to detect a 40% relative reduction in the 2-year incidence of syncopal recurrences with 80% statistical power., Discussion: The BIOSync study is designed to definitively assess the benefit of pacing against placebo in reflex syncope patients with a cardio-inhibitory response to the TT. The study will also provide important information on the efficiency of the TT in appropriately selecting reflex syncope patients for cardiac pacing., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02324920 (27 October 2016, date last accessed).

Backgrounds: The purpose of the study was to assess the clinical outcome of patients with situational syncope (SS) compared to patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS)., Methods: We assessed the prevalence, patients' characteristics, and outcome of consecutive patients with SS and VVS who presented to the Faint and Fall Clinic (University of Wisconsin) between January 2013 and December 2015., Results: SS was found in 55/1,401 (4.0%) syncope patients with follow-up data available in 47 patients: defecation (n = 16), micturition (n = 15), cough (n = 10), swallow (n = 3), laughter (n = 1), sneeze (n = 1), and cough plus laughter (n = 1). Over the same time period, 252/1,401 patients (18%) were diagnosed with VVS with follow-up data available in 171 patients. Compared with VVS patients, SS patients were older, more likely to be male, had a higher prevalence of hypertension, had an absence of prodromes, and experienced more injuries at the time of syncope (P = 0.01 for all). During a mean follow-up duration of 15.4 ± 9.1 months, syncope recurred in 5/47 (10.6%) patients with SS and 16/171 (9.4%) patients with VVS. The recurrence rates at 1 year and 2 years were 20% (95% SE ± 13) and 40% (95% SE ± 20) for the SS group, and 23% (95% SE ± 13) and 43% (95% SE ± 20) for the VVS group (P = 0.6). No patient died., Conclusions: We have shown in a large cohort of consecutive patients with syncope that SS is a relatively infrequent form of reflex syncope with different clinical characteristics but similar recurrence rate to VVS., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Purpose: There is a paucity of studies that evaluate the treatment outcomes of transcrestal sinus elevation performed without using osteotomes. This study aims to evaluate the 4-year survival of short dental implants placed following transcrestal sinus elevation performed with a frontal cutting drill and to measure the marginal bone stability., Materials and Methods: Transcrestal sinus elevation was performed by sequential bone drilling using a frontal cutting drill. Short (≤ 8.5 mm) dental implants were placed. The patients' demographic data were described. Implant details, survival, marginal bone loss, and complications were analyzed. The implant survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: Fifty-eight implants were placed in 38 patients with a mean age of 56 ± 7 years. The residual bone height was 4.6 ± 1.2 mm and bone grafting was performed for 15 implants. The mean follow-up time was 47 ± 12 months and 41 ± 9 months after insertion and loading, respectively. The implant survival rate was 96.6%, due to 2 implant failures. Cox regression analysis failed to indicate that implant length had a significant effect on the survival rate. Mesial and distal bone loss amounts were 0.9 ± 1 mm and 1.1 ± 1.0 mm, respectively., Conclusion: The use of bone drills alone to perform transalveolar sinus floor elevation is not a risk factor for implant survival and marginal bone stability. A combination of short implants and transcrestal sinus elevation can be effective in the treatment of posterior maxillae with a mean residual bone height < 5 mm.

Sleep bruxism and higher clench index have been associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there is no study that reports on the prosthetic complications in patients with OSA. Records of patients who had performed a sleep study to diagnose OSA were examined for the occurrence of prosthetic complications in implant-borne reconstructions. The primary outcome was the frequency of prosthetic complications. The secondary outcomes were anthropometric data, type of complication, type of prosthesis, type of retention, number of supporting implants, number of prosthetic units, and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea. Of the 172 patients, 67 had an implant-supported prosthesis, and all were included in the study. The mean age was 61 ± 10 years, and 36 were female. Thirty complications in 22 prostheses were identified in 16 patients. The complications were porcelain fracture (14 events), screw/implant fracture (8 events), screw loosening (3 events), and decementation (5 events). The follow-up time was 117 ± 90 months after placement of the prosthesis. The average time for complications to occur was 73 ± 65 months after the placement of the prosthesis. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), 49 patients had OSA. Thirteen of the 16 patients having a prosthetic complication also had OSA. The highest AHI and thus the severity of OSA was identified in patients with a fracture complication related to an implant, a screw, or a porcelain. The frequency of prosthetic complications has been higher in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to better understand the role of the baroreflex in tilt-induced vasovagal syncope (VVS)., Background: The role of the baroreflex in tilt-induced VVS remains controversial. The authors hypothesized that: 1) patients with positive tilt table test (TTT) results have greater baroreflex gain (BRG) compared with patients with negative TTT results; and 2) patients with tilt-induced asystole have greater BRG compared with patients without asystole., Methods: Using the sequence method, BRG measurements were obtained in 438 consecutive patients undergoing TTT. Two hundred sixty-eight patients (61%) had positive TTT results (mean age 50 ± 21 years; 34% men), and 170 patients (39%) had negative TTT results (mean age 48 ± 21 years; 35% men)., Results: Mean BRG was significantly higher in patients with positive TTT results compared with those with negative TTT results (12.9 ± 6.0 ms/mm Hg vs. 11.5 ± 6.0 ms/mm Hg; p = 0.01). Among the 268 patients with positive TTT results, 23 (9%) had more than 3 s of asystole (mean age 37 ± 17; 30% men), and 245 patients had a mixed vasodepressor or cardioinhibitory response without asystole (mean age 51 ± 17 years; 34% men). Mean BRG was greater in patients with tilt-induced asystole (>3 s) compared with patients without asystole (15.3 ± 5.9 ms/mm Hg vs. 12.7 ± 5.9 ms/mm Hg; p = 0.03)., Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that baseline BRG was higher in patients with positive TTT results compared with those with negative TTT results, with greater values noted in patients with tilt-induced asystole (>3 s) compared with those without asystole., (Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Short implants (≤ 8.5 mm in length) have presented predictable outcomes. However, there is paucity in the long-term evaluation of immediate loading of short implants. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the immediate loading of short implants on treatment outcomes., Materials and Methods: Patients having short implants inserted before December 2010 that were immediately loaded were selected. A database was then created to include the patient's data as well as implant- and prostheses-related outcomes. Long implants inserted at the same surgery and immediately loaded by the same prosthesis formed the control group. The proximal bone loss and the survival rates of implants and prostheses were assessed., Results: Forty-nine short and 38 long implants were placed in 30 patients. The mean follow-up time was 5.2 ± 0.8 years after loading, and three implants (two short and one long) failed. The differences in marginal bone loss and implant survival between short and long implants were not statistically significant. Three prosthetic complications occurred. Two prostheses failed, and the survival rate was 95.8%., Conclusion: The immediate loading of short implants is not a risk factor for treatment success. This could be related to the good bone quality and the achievement of adequate primary stability.

Background: No evidence has been reported yet about dimensional changes in maxillary sinuses grafted with autologous platelet concentrate., Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the augmented height alterations around short implants (length ≤ 8.5 mm) placed after transcrestal sinus lift surgery in association with plasma rich in growth factors., Materials and Methods: A retrospective design was used. Patients with atrophic posterior maxilla were treated by inserting short implants in combination with transalveolar maxillary sinus floor augmentation. Radiographic bone level alterations over time were assessed on panoramic radiographs., Results: Transalveolar sinus augmentation was performed to place 41 implants in 26 patients with a residual bone height of 4.7 ± 1.3 mm. The alveolar bone height was increased by 3.7 ± 1.7 mm and 4.2 ± 2.0 mm after 12 ± 3 months and 35 ± 11 months of surgery, respectively, whereas the apical augmented height (beyond the implant) apex was stable around 34 implants during the follow-up. It was increasing around seven implants that were not covered by the endo-sinus augmented height at the 1-year follow-up., Conclusions: Transalveolar sinus floor augmentation in association with plasma rich in growth factors and short implants resulted in a stable augmented height gain after 3 years follow-up. Atrophic posterior maxilla could be treated by transalveolar sinus lift in association with plasma rich in growth factors and the placement of short implants., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: According to the ACC/AHA/HRS guidelines, cardiac pacing is reasonable in patients with bifascicular block (BF-B) and syncope when other causes have been excluded. The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of patients with BF-B and unexplained syncope following cardiac pacing., Methods and Results: Between 2009 and 2015, we identified 43 consecutive patients (mean age of 78 ± 12 years, 64% males) who presented with syncope and BF-B and had received a pacemaker (PM). During a mean follow-up period of 31 ± 21 months, syncope recurred in seven patients (16%): 7% (95% standard error [SE] ± 3%) at 1 year and 18% (95% SE ± 7%) at 5 years. At univariable analysis, the only predictor of syncope recurrence was empiric pacing (P = 0.03). There were no syncope recurrences in the 12 patients who received a PM following a positive electrophysiological study (EPS) and the five patients with documentation of paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) during cardiac monitoring (insertable loop recorder [ILR]), (EPS/ILR Group, n = 17) compared to seven of 26 (27%) patients who received empiric pacing (Empiric Group, n = 26; P = 0.02). Progression to high-degree AVB was documented during follow-up in 16 (37%) patients: nine of 17 (53%) patients in the EPS/ILR Group and seven of 26 (27%) patients in the Empiric Group (P = 0.11). There were no injuries reported during ILR monitoring., Conclusions: We have shown that syncope recurs not infrequently in patients with BF-B who received pacing for syncope. Nearly one in four patients who had empiric pacing suffered syncope recurrence compared to no recurrences in patients who received a PM following a positive EPS or documentation of transient AVB., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: There is a paucity of studies examining long-term outcomes of immediate loading of dental implants immediately placed into infected sites. This study aims to evaluate long-term outcomes of immediate loading of postextraction implants placed in infected sites., Methods: Patients were selected if they had postextraction implants in the anterior maxilla that were inserted in the period from December 2006 to June 2015 and immediately loaded. Information collected about patients included: 1) demographic data; 2) implant details; 3) soft tissue stability; and 4) prosthodontics data. Marginal bone loss (BL) and implant and prosthesis survival rates were calculated., Results: Thirty patients (mean age: 56 years) had 43 implants immediately inserted into infected sites and immediately loaded. Implants were inserted at torque ≥35 Ncm. Mean follow-up time was 6 years (range: 1 to 8 years), and 65% of implants had a follow-up time >5 years. No implant failure occurred, and implant success rate was 93%. Proximal BL was 1.42 mm (range: 0.21 to 5.61 mm). Three prosthetic complications (all fracture of veneer material) occurred., Conclusions: Immediate loading of implants inserted into fresh and infected extraction sockets is not a risk factor for implant survival. However, stability of peri-implant soft and hard tissues indicates the need to take measures that minimize loss.

A silicon calcium phosphate cement (Si-CPC) was developed to produce a composite of calcium phosphate and calcium silicate. The silicon cements prepared with low silicon (Si) content were composed of crystalline phases of brushite and silicocarnotite. However, the cements prepared with high Si content were mainly composed of amorphous phases of silicocarnotite, hydroxyapatite and calcium silicate. The cement porosity was about 40% with a shift of the average pore diameter to the nanometric range with increasing Si content. Interestingly, this new cement system provides a matrix with a high specific surface area of up to 29 m(2) g(-1). The cytocompatibility of the new Si-doped cements was tested with a human osteoblast-like cell line (MG-63) showing an enhancement of cell proliferation (up to threefold) when compared with unsubstituted material. Cements with a high silica content also improved the cell attachment. The in vivo results indicated that Si-CPCs induce the formation of new bone tissue, and modify cement resorption. We conclude that this cement provides an optimal environment to enhance osteoblast growth and proliferation that could be of interest in bone engineering.

Introduction: Patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS) and positive tilt table test (TTT) were not found to benefit from pacing in the ISSUE-3 trial despite the presence of spontaneous asystole during monitoring. "Hypotensive susceptibility" unmasked by TTT was reported as a possible explanation. The purpose of this study was to assess the pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with hypotensive susceptibility., Methods: 366 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of VVS who also had TTT were identified. Baroreflex gain (BRG) in addition to blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) responses during the first 20 min of TTT were analyzed and compared between patients with positive TTT (n = 275, 75 %) and negative TTT (n = 91, 25 %)., Results: The mean BRG was similar between the groups (12.5 ± 6.3 versus 12.4 ± 6.3 ms/mmHg, p = 0.72); however, an age-dependent decrease was noted (17.6 ± 4.8, 15.0 ± 6.0, 10.6 ± 4.2, 10.3 ± 6.4 and 9.9 ± 8.5 ms/mmHg for patients <21, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 and >80 years old, respectively; p < 0.001). In addition, we saw a main effect of age on the type of response with a greater prevalence of a vasodepressor response in older subjects (p < 0.001). During the first 20 min of TTT, BP was similar in patients with tilt-positive VVS when compared with patients with tilt-negative VVS; however, HR was significantly lower., Conclusion: BRG is similar in tilt-positive VVS patients when compared with tilt-negative VVS patients. An age-dependent decrease in BRG was noted with a higher prevalence of a vasodepressor response seen in older patients. The clinical significance of the blunted HR response in tilt-positive VVS remains to be determined.

Background: The use of narrow-diameter implants (NDIs; <3.75 mm) constitutes an alternative to bone augmentation procedure. Long-term evaluation of NDIs with a diameter <3.0 mm is still lacking., Purpose: Analyze the long-term outcomes of 2.5-mm NDIs splinted to regular-sized implants for supporting partial and complete fixed prostheses., Materials and Methods: Patients charts were retrospectively analyzed to select patients treated by the insertion of at least one 2.5-mm two-piece implant before July 2005. The study was based on the available charts (no patient was recalled). Patient's demographic data were described. The known implant length was used as a reference to calibrate the linear measurements of marginal bone loss on digital periapical radiograph. Implant details, survival and prosthetic complications were analyzed., Results: Thirty-seven 2.5-mm implants placed in 20 patients (mean age at surgery: 54.05 ± 9.7 years) in maxilla and mandible were included and evaluated. The implants' mean follow-up time since insertion was 6.5 ± 3.2 years (range 0 to 9.7 years). The follow-up time was more than 7 years for 22 implants. One implant failed due to lack of osseointegration. Two prosthetic complications (connector and porcelain fracture) occurred. The survival rate was 97.3% for implants and 92.0% for prostheses. The mean marginal bone loss at the mesial and distal aspect was 0.70 ± 0.55 and 0.72 ± 0.56 mm, respectively., Conclusions: When dental implants of 2.5 mm in diameter are splinted by a fixed prosthesis, long-term favorable outcomes could be obtained., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)