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Aim of study was to compare the clinical visual and radiographic diagnostic technique with histological analysis of early proximal carious lesions. Materials and method. Study group included 96 proximal surfaces (48 teeth obtained from dental extractions for orthodontic or periodontal reasons). The proximal surfaces were examined by visual clinical examen and radiographic examen. A histological assessment was performed as gold standard. The sensivity and specificity values were calculated for clinical and radiographic examen. The values were analysed using McNemar test, with significance threshold p < 0.05. Results. Significant statistical differences were obtained when comparing both the sensitivity and specificity of the radiological detection method compared to the clinical method (p=0.0001

Aims of study. The aims of study were as follows: assessment of esthetic, functional and biological FDI indices of posterior composite restorations; assessment of decisions for non-intervention vs. repair/replacement of the posterior composite restorations. Materials and method. The retrospective study was performed on a study group of 69 patients (mean age: 25.31± 4,45 yrs; gender: 36 males, 33 females) that were treated for various dental pathologies in Odontology-Periodontology, Fixed Restorations of Clinical Learning Base of Faculty of Dental Medicine, U.M.F. Grigore T.Popa Iași (Romania) with a total number of 309 posterior composite restorations (class I and II Black) aged 3-5 yrs. The composite restorations were clinically evaluated using visual-tactile method. The evaluations were carried out during the recall session by an independent examiner, according to the FDI criteria (esthetic, functional, biological). The frequency of non-intervention versus repair/replacement decision was assessed globally and related to the parameters of the study group (gender, cariogenic risk, cavity design, arch/dental group location). Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 29.0. Quantitative variables were characterized by descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations). Results. In the study group, 38,8% of all composite resin restorations required repair or replacement (FDI scores 4-5). The decisions of repair/replacement related to the assessed variables were as follows: 22,4% (Class I) vs 54,2% (Class II); 30,6% (males) vs 31% (females); 42,9% (high cariogenic risk) vs 20,4% (low cariogenic risk); 29,7% (Mx location) vs 31,5% (Md location); 41,4% (premolars) vs 49,5% (molars). Conclusions. 31% of posterior composite restorations aged 3-5 years require repair or replacement. Surface condition and margin discoloration are most frequent esthetic scores related to decisions of repair or replacement. Significantly higher percentages of Class II composite restorations (versus Class I) and molars restorations (versus premolars) were associated to requires repair or replacement. The most frequent biological score related to replacement decisions is the presence of secondary caries, mostly in Class II restorations.

Resin composites are the first choice for direct restoration of posterior teeth in the treatment of dental caries. This article reviews factors that influence the clinical performance of composite restorations and the results of clinical trials assessing longevity of posterior resin composite restorations. Materials and method. PubMed, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched for articles investigating the clinical performance of direct resin composite restorations placed in posterior teeth. Results and discussions. Factors with significant influence on longevity of posterior composite restorations include patient-related factors (age, carious risk, periodontal disease, bruxism), dental group, cavity size and volume, cervical margin extension, root-filled teeth, oclusal stress. Conclusions. Dental resin composites are material of choice for use in direct minimal interventions in posterior teeth. For patients without bruxism, in medium size cavities, direct composite resins demonstrate similar clinical performance with amalgam restorations. The clinical performance of restorations depends on a number of factors including variables related to the restored tooth, the materials and techniques employed, the patient’s risks, and professional clinical decisions.

Pumping water from well fields is challenging for any water company, due to the restrictions attached to the aquifers’ hydrogeological characterisation. The difficulty is to set the speed of each pump allowing ensuring a quasi-uniform pumping from all wells in a field, at the highest flow rate that can be extracted from each well, paying attention to avoid clogging. In this paper we propose a methodology to compute the speed of each pump in a well field, corresponding to the desired pumped flow rate range, by keeping the requested hydrodynamic level in each well. The method is exemplified for a case study in Bucharest − a small well field, for which hydrogeological data are available. The nonlinear system of equations that defines the hydraulic system operation is solved in MATLAB for the stationary flow regime attained after reaching constant hydrodynamic levels in all wells. The numerical model of the well field is finally set and run in EPANET, within a dynamic analysis (simulation over an extended period of time), where water levels in the wells adjust to the extracted flow rate, according to the hydrogeological data. Two operating scenarios are discussed.

Tobacco smoke contains a variety of harmful chemicals such as tar, benzopyrene, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. These substances can affect both the quality and quantity of saliva, thus disrupting remineralization processes. Smoking can have a significant impact on the inorganic component of saliva and, consequently, can affect its viscosity and degree of mineralization.The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of smoking and the correlations of some cariogenic risk parameters such as DMFT Index, resting and stimulated salivary flow rate, salivary pH and buffer capacity and micro-crystallization index in smokers using classic and electronic cigarettes. Material and method:The study was performed on 50 patients from the Clinical Base of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Iași, Romania with a medium number of carious lesions and a medium carious risk. The patients aged between 19 and 35 years, were divided into five groups (n=10): I – non-smokers, II – light smokers (1-10 classic cigarettes/day), III – moderate smokers (10-20 classic cigarettes/day), IV – high consumption (over 20 classic cigarettes/day) and V – electronic cigarette smokers. Results showed that the DMFT index values were very low in non-smokers while the highest values were reached by the electronic cigarettes users. Regarding the resting and stimulated salivary flow rate, the values decreased significantly in classic cigarettes medium and high consumers and in electronic cigarettes users when compared to non-smokers. When analyzing the pH and buffer capacity values it can be observed that smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day or the use electronic cigarettes can significantly reduce the values. The micro-crystallization index is also reduced in electronic cigarettes smokers or in medium or high classic cigarettes consumers. Conclusions: Consumption of more than 10 classic cigarettes per day or electronic cigarette affects the resting and stimulated salivary flow rate, the salivary pH value, the buffer capacity and the micro-crystallization index. E-cigarette users or smokers of more than 20 cigarettes per day are associated with an increased number of decayed, missing or filled teeth.

While IκB-kinase-ε (IKKε) induces immunomodulatory genes following viral stimuli, its upregulation by inflammatory cytokines remains under-explored. Since airway epithelial cells respond to airborne insults and potentiate inflammation, IKKε expression was characterized in pulmonary epithelial cell lines (A549, BEAS-2B) and primary human bronchial epithelial cells grown as submersion or differentiated air-liquid interface cultures. IKKε expression was up-regulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα). Thus, mechanistic interrogations in A549 cells were used to demonstrate the NF-κB dependence of cytokine-induced IKKε. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation in A549 and BEAS-2B cells revealed robust recruitment of the NF-κB subunit, p65, to one 50 and two intronic regions within the IKKε locus (IKBKE). In addition, IL-1β and TNFα induced strong RNA polymerase 2 recruitment to the 50 region, the first intron, and the transcription start site. Stable transfection of the p65- binding regions into A549 cells revealed IL-1β- and TNFα-inducible reporter activity that required NF-κB, but was not repressed by glucocorticoid. While critical NF-κB motifs were identified in the 50 and downstream intronic regions, the first intronic region did not contain functional NF-κB motifs. Thus, IL-1β- and TNFα-induced IKKε expression involves three NF-κB-binding regions, containing multiple functional NF-κB motifs, and potentially other mechanisms of p65 binding through non-classical NF-κB binding motifs. By enhancing IKKε expression, IL-1β may prime, or potentiate, responses to alternative stimuli, as modelled by IKKε phosphorylation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13- acetate. However, since IKKε expression was only partially repressed by glucocorticoid, IKKε-dependent responses could contribute to glucocorticoid-resistant disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Jeongyun Seo [sup.1] , Woo Y. Byun [sup.1] , Farid Alisafaei [sup.2] , Andrei Georgescu [sup.1] , Yoon-Suk Yi [sup.1] , Mina Massaro-Giordano [sup.3] [sup.4] , Vivek B. Shenoy [...], Here we present a miniaturized analog of a blinking human eye to reverse engineer the complexity of the interface between the ocular system and the external environment. Our model comprises human cells and provides unique capabilities to replicate multiscale structural organization, biological phenotypes and dynamically regulated environmental homeostasis of the human ocular surface. Using this biomimetic system, we discovered new biological effects of blink-induced mechanical forces. Furthermore, we developed a specialized in vitro model of evaporative dry-eye disease for high-content drug screening. This work advances our ability to emulate how human physiological systems interface with the external world, and may contribute to the future development of novel screening platforms for biopharmaceutical and environmental applications. A biomimetic culture system is developed by reverse engineering to replicate key features of the human ocular surface at cellular, tissue and organ levels, and is used as an in vitro model of dry-eye disease compatible with drug-screening approaches.

This article explores the impact of Sjögren's syndrome on saliva and its correlation with dental caries. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects saliva production and composition, increasing the risk of dental caries. The study found significant differences in dental and salivary health between patients with Sjögren's syndrome and a control group. It emphasizes the importance of oral hygiene and following dentist recommendations for caries prevention and treatment for individuals with Sjögren's syndrome. The document is a comprehensive list of references and citations related to Sjögren's syndrome and oral health, providing a thorough overview of current research on the topic. [Extracted from the article]

In the present case report, the use of the composite resin injection technique with flowable composite resin was described, aiming to rapidly restore functionality and aesthetics in a patient with severe dental wear. The used technique helped achieve an appropriate morphology, functionality and aesthetics within a reduced execution time. Initially, the teeth were clinically examined, then digital scanning was performed, on the basis of which the 3D wax up model was realized. The obtained model was impressed using a transparent silicone material, so that the silicone guide - on the basis of which the mock-up and, subsequently, the flowable resin injection technique were performed - was made. The results obtained by flowable composite resin injection and wax-up and mock-up techniques are highly satisfactory from an aesthetic, morphological and functional point of view, although the behavior over time should still be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine prevalence of incipient occlusal caries related to different cariogenic risk categories as well as the distribution of incipient occlusal caries accordingly to ICDAS classification and results of laserfluorescence examen. Material and methods. The study group included patients classified in low cariogenic risk (18 patients, 320 occlusal surfaces), medium cariogenic risk (65 patients, 320 occlusal surfaces) and high cariogenic risk (32 patients, 527 occlusal surfaces). 1960 occlusal surfaces were assessed using clinical examen (ICDAS system) and laserfluorescence method (DIAGNODENT, Kavo). Results. For the category of low cariogenic risk patients, most incipient occlusal caries are classified as code ICDAS 02 (11.56%) and 13.43% are recorded in the range of values 10-20 (enamel caries) accordingly to laserfluorescence examen. The patients with medium cariogenic risk present similar rates of incipient occlusal caries with codes ICDAS 02 (13,74%) and 03 (13,56%), as well as 20,20% occlusal surfaces recorded with values 10-20 in laserfluorescence method. The patients with high cariogenic risk present similar rates of incipient occlusal caries with codes ICDAS 02 (15,55%) and 03 (13,66%), as well as 18,78% occlusal surfaces recorded with values 10-20 (enamel caries) and 14,23% (dentinal caries) with values over 30, in laserfluorescence method. Conclusions. The rates of incipient occlusal caries, accordingly to ICDAS system and laserfluorescence examen, are also influenced by cariogenic risk category.

Roles for the baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing (BIRC) genes, BIRC2 and BIRC3, may include signaling to the inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and protection from cell death. However, distinct functions for each BIRC are not well-delineated. Given roles for the epithelium in barrier function and host defence, BIRC2 and BIRC3 expression was characterized in pulmonary epithelial cell lines and primary human bronchial epithelial cells (pHBECs) grown as undifferentiated cells in submersion culture (SC) or as highly differentiated cells at air-liquid interface (ALI). In A549 cells, interleukin-1β (IL1B) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) induced BIRC3 mRNA (~20-50-fold), with maximal protein expression from 6–24 h. Similar effects occurred in BEAS-2B and Calu-3 cells, as well as SC and ALI pHBECs. BIRC2 protein was readily detected in unstimulated cells, but was not markedly modulated by IL1B or TNF. Glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, budesonide) modestly increased BIRC3 mRNA and protein, but showed little effect on BIRC2 expression. In A549 cells, BIRC3 mRNA induced by IL1B was unchanged by glucocorticoids and showed supra-additivity with TNF-plus-glucocorticoid. Supra-additivity was also evident for IL1B-plus-budesonide induced-BIRC3 in SC and ALI pHBECs. Using A549 cells, IL1B- and TNF-induced BIRC3 expression, and to a lesser extent, BIRC2, was prevented by NF-κB inhibition. Glucocorticoid-induced BIRC3 expression was prevented by silencing and antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor. Whereas TNF, but not IL1B, induced degradation of basal BIRC2 and BIRC3 protein, IL1B- and TNF-induced BIRC3 protein remained stable. Differential regulation by cytokines and glucocorticoids shows BIRC2 protein expression to be consistent with roles in rapid signaling events, whereas cytokine-induced BIRC3 may be more important in later effects. While TNF-induced degradation of both BIRCs may restrict their activity, cytokine-enhanced BIRC3 expression could prime for its function. Finally, shielding from glucocorticoid repression, or further enhancement by glucocorticoid, may indicate a key protective role for BIRC3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operation of pumps within a pumping station can be controlled by the Pressure Set Point (PSP) value compared to the reading of a pressure sensor placed either at the exit of the pumping station, on the main discharge pipe (classical PSP method), or at a critical/monitoring point within the water distribution network (termed further as remote-control PSP method). We designed and built an experimental test rig, allowing to study both control methods, in the attempt to check the advantage of the remote-control PSP method, with respect to the classical PSP method, since governing equations show that they are equivalent. The design relies on the theoretical approach and numerical results presented within this paper.

The paper presents an EPANET model of a groundwater well field. The method used in the simulations to model the variation of the hydrodynamic levels in wells as a function of the pumped flow rate is discussed, and a comparison to previous simulations that used fixed hydrodynamic levels in the wells is performed. The case study points to a groundwater well field in Romania. The results show that the new method although requiring a more complex EPANET model, provides a solution that is closer to the actual variation of water levels in wells.

This paper presents the process of making a set of vibration measurements on a model of a television tower in the boundary layer wind tunnel. The main objective of the study is to predict the dynamic behaviour of the full-scale structure under the turbulent wind action, specific for the Bucharest site, in Romania. Wind tunnel tests were performed on a 1:500 scale aeroelastic model, existing at the Aerodynamics and Wind Engineering Laboratory “Constantin Iamandi” from the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest. As a result of the vibration measurements on the tower's model, the dynamic behaviour of the structure on the real scale could be determined by using the conditions and relationships of similitude established between the two, model and prototype (full-scale structure). The experimental analysis made in this study may be very important not only in assessing the dynamic response for a building of such importance, during the preliminary stages, but also can be very helpful for the decision makers involved in the design process to choose which is the best solution for such high and slender structures under the action of turbulent wind.

This paper focuses on a methodology allowing to derive the pumping schedule in Water Distribution Networks (WDN), upon a time dependent water demand. The selected test case is a previously studied WDN. Two pumping algorithms give different pumping rules. By solving the nonlinear system of equations, consisting of energy balance equations, mass balance equations and pumping rules, one gets the pumps speed factors. Solutions attached to the Pressure Driven Analysis (PDA) correspond to energy and cost savings, with respect to the solutions given by the Demand Driven Analysis (DDA). The methodology described in this paper is simple and rapid, but the iterative numerical method used to solve the system of equations is highly dependent on the starting guess.

The presented paper focuses on the computation of the mean wind speed and turbulence intensity profiles for all the cities from Romania. The calculation of both, the mean wind speed profile and the turbulence intensity profile, had as mathematical support the equations presented in the Romanian design standard for wind action CR 1-1-4/2012. The main objective of this paper was to provide a tool for the computation of the two wind action features. This method was based on creating a spreadsheet in Excel with which, in just a few seconds, a user could correctly obtain the two wind characteristics. This Excel dashboard can be used as a teaching material for students as well as input data for structural design engineers in the process of modelling and observing the behaviour of a building excited by wind action on a particular city in Romania.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color variation of a nanohybrid composite resin (GrandioSO, VOCO), a flowable composite (GrandioSO Flow, VOCO), a heavy flow composite (GrandioSO Heavy flow, VOCO) and a sealant (Grandio Seal, VOCO) submersed in three different staining solutions (red wine, coffee, cola drink) for 14 days. Twenty samples from each tested material were prepared and divided into 4 groups, according to the materials employed. Each group was then divided into 4 subgroups, according to the submersion solutions: Subgroup "Saliva" - artificial saliva (AFNOR, Biochemazone™) as a control subgroup; Subgroup "Red Wine" - dry red wine (Negru de Purcari Wine), Subgroup "Cola" - Pepsi-cola Company, Subgroup "Coffee" - Nescafe Brasero. The samples were submersed in solutions for 14 days and stored in an incubator at 37 °C. A portable spectrophotometer NR10QC 3NH was used for color assessment after 1, 7 and 14 days of submersion, using the CIE L*a*b* system. Paired t-test, Repeated Measures ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests were used for statistical analysis. The highest value of color variation was recorded by group C after 14 days of submersion in red wine solution (ΔE=4.76), while the lowest values were shown by group B after 14 days of submersion in cola solution (ΔE=0.48). In group B, differences were observed between subgroups saliva and cola (p=0.046) after 14 days. In group C, differences were recorded after 7 days between subgroups saliva and red wine (p=0.00), after 14 days between subgroups saliva and red wine (p=0.00), and between subgroups saliva and coffee (p=0.007). In group D, differences were observed after 7 days between subgroups saliva and red wine (p=0.001) and subgroups saliva and coffee (p=0.00). Fourteen days of continuous contact with cola beverage affects the color stability of the heavy flow composite resin, while red wine or coffee consumption influences the color of the resin-based sealant. The nanohybrid composite resin and the resin-based sealant show color variations after seven days of continuous contact with red wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing for acute inhalation hazards is conducted in animals; however, a number of robust in vitro human cell-based alternatives have been developed and tested. These models range in complexity from cultures of cell lines or primary cells in air-liquid interface on Transwells, to more complex and physiologically relevant flow- and mechanical stimulation-enabled tissue chips. Although the former models are relatively straightforward to establish and can be tested in medium/high throughput, the latter require specialized equipment and lack in throughput. In this study, we developed a device that can be easily manufactured while allowing for the production of a differentiated lung tissue. This multilayered microfluidic device enables coculture of primary human small airway epithelial cells and lung microvascular endothelial cells under physiological conditions for up to 18 days and recreates the parenchymal-vascular interface in the distal lung. To explore the potential of this airway on a chip for applications in inhalation toxicology, we also devised a system that allows for direct gas/aerosol exposures of the engineered airway epithelium to noxious stimuli known to cause adverse respiratory effects, including dry flowing air, lipopolysaccharide, particulate matter, and iodomethane. This study generated quantitative, high-content data that were indicative of aberrant changes in biochemical (lactate dehydrogenase), barrier (dextran permeability), functional (ciliary beating), and molecular (imaging for various markers) phenotypes of the small airway epithelium due to inhalational exposures. This study is significant because it established an in vitro model of human small airway on a chip that can be used in medium/high-throughput studies of subacute effects of inhalation toxicants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]