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Background/purpose: Implant stability is crucial for successful osseointegration. Marginal bone level is considered an important indicator of long-term implant success and stability. The purposes of this study were to investigate 1) the effect of age, gender, bone density, implant length, and implant diameter on insertion torque (IT), primary implant stability quotient (ISQ), and secondary ISQ, 2) the impact of age, gender, bone density, implant length, implant diameter, IT, and ISQ on marginal bone loss (MBL). Materials and methods: Ninety patients who needed implant therapy were enrolled and overall 156 implants were installed to support single crowns. IT and ISQ were recorded for all implants during surgery and ISQ measurements were performed at follow-up visits. Age, gender, bone density, implant length and diameter were also registered. Radiographic evaluation of MBL was performed postoperative immediate (baseline), 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months using digital periapical radiographs. Results: Age had little effect on IT and primary ISQ (P > 0.05). Generally, males had higher IT and primary ISQ, but no significant differences between genders were detected. Bone density showed significant effects on IT and primary ISQ. Correlation analysis revealed high positive correlations between IT/bone density and primary ISQ/implant diameter. Significant impacts of bone density and IT on MBL were found. Conclusion: Implant diameter had a more profound impact than length on IT/primary ISQ. Bone density played a considerable role in IT/primary ISQ determination. Bone density and IT had more impacts than primary ISQ on MBL.

Background/purpose: Immediate implant placement (IIP) with and without immediate provisionalization (Ipro) may yield satisfactory results in appropriate indications and treatment, especially in the esthetic zone. The aim of this study was to compare implant stability, marginal bone loss (MBL), survival rates, and patient satisfaction between IIP with Ipro and IIP without Ipro. Materials and methods: Seventy patients, each with a failed maxillary anterior tooth, were randomly assigned to IIP with Ipro (Group A: n = 35) or IIP without Ipro (Group B: n = 35). Implant stability quotient (ISQ) and standardized periapical radiographs were performed at surgery and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively to investigate implant stability and MBL, respectively. Survival was assessed 1 year after surgery. Patient satisfaction was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: Primary ISQ and MBL were not significantly different between groups A and B immediately after surgery (P ＞ 0.05). Implant survival was 100% in both groups, and only one mechanical complication was observed. Patient satisfaction was good at definitive crown delivery and postoperatively 1-year in both groups. However, the immediate postoperative VAS score in Group A was significantly higher than that in Group B (P

Background/purpose: Palladium-silver (Pd–Ag) alloys are important as an alternative to gold-based alloys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an argon-arc vacuum pressure casting process on the recasting of the Pd–Ag alloy. Materials and methods: The recasting Pd–Ag alloys were compared with conventional horizontal centrifugal (HC) casting to an argon (Ar)-arc vacuum pressure (Ar-arc/VP) casting. The first-generation castings were made from a Pd–Ag alloy purchased from a supplier. Next-generation castings were made from 50 wt% Pd–Ag alloy before casting and 50 wt% from previous castings. This sequence was repeated over three generations to form the 2nd, 3rd and 4th recasting ingots. The ingots were then measured for marginal accuracy, interfacial oxidation, hardness and phase identification. Results: The recasting success rate of recastibility reached 100%. Compared with the HC group, the Ar-arc/VP group had better edge precision, smaller oxide layer thickness and lower hardness. The comparison of X-ray diffraction intensity showed that the relative intensities of Pd and Ag in the first, second and third generations recasting of the Ar-arc/VP group were significantly higher than those of the HC group. Phase analysis showed that the trace elements of indium and tin contents in the Pd–Ag recasting ingots of the Ar-arc/VP group were higher than those of the HC group. Conclusion: The results showed that the casting process used for recasting affected the quality of the Pd–Ag alloy. Therefore, Ar-arc/VP casting process could improve the effect of Pd–Ag recasting and maintain the alloy properties in comparison with HC casting.

Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play important roles in sepsis and deep-seated infections, but whether NET formation correlates with clinical outcomes of patients with streptococcal bloodstream infections (BSIs) is unclear. Methods: We analyzed serum levels of complexes of myeloperoxidase and DNA (MPO-DNA) in patients with streptococcal-BSIs. In vitro assay of NET induction by serum from BSI patients was performed. Results: MPO-DNA values for the Streptococci-BSI group (n = 59) were significantly higher than those for healthy controls (p 1.87 μg/mL) were higher in abscess-prone streptococcal groups (streptococcus milleri group) (72.2% vs. 52.5%, p = 0.02). For patients with BSIs due to highly infective endocarditis (IE)-prone pathogens, the values of serum MPO-DNA were also higher in patients diagnosed of IE compared to their counterparts (p = 0.009). Notably, serum from patients with leukopenia could induce higher amounts of in vitro NET formation, despite having low MPO-DNA levels, suggesting that NET formation could be influenced by WBC counts. Therefore, we combined WBC counts with MPO-DNA to predict all-cause 30-day mortality in patients with commensal streptococcal-BSIs. The mortality risk was lowest among patients who had neither high MPO-DNA levels nor abnormal WBC counts (p = 0.058). Furthermore, this group of patients also had a favorable composite outcome consisting of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality (p = 0.026). Conclusion: Together, these study data suggested that serum MPO-DNA can be a biomarker for predicting a composite outcome consisting of MACE and all-cause mortality in patients with commensal streptococcal-BSIs.

Introduction: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays a critical role in odontoblast differentiation and dentin matrix deposition, thereby aiding pulpo-dentin repair and regeneration. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of bFGF on plasminogen activation factors, TIMP-1), ALP; and SPARC (osteonectin) expression/production of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) in vitro; and the involvement of MEK/ERK, p38, Akt, and TAK1 signaling. Methods: SCAP were exposed to bFGF with/without pretreatment and co-incubation with various signal transduction inhibitors (U0126, SB203580, LY294002, and 5Z-7-oxozeaenol). The expression of FGF receptors (FGFRs), PAI-1, uPA, p-ERK, p-TAK1, and p-p38 was analyzed via immunofluorescent staining. The gene expression and protein secretion of SCAP were determined via real-time PCR and ELISA. ALP activity was evaluated via ALP staining. Results: SCAP expressed FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4. bFGF stimulated the PAI-1, uPA, uPAR, and TIMP-1 mRNA expression (p

Abstract Pharmaceutical patent analysis is the key to product protection for pharmaceutical companies. In patent claims, a Markush structure is a standard chemical structure drawing with variable substituents. Overlaps between apparently dissimilar Markush structures are nearly unrecognizable when the structures span a broad chemical space. We propose a quantum search-based method which performs an exact comparison between two non-enumerated Markush structures with a constraint satisfaction oracle. The quantum circuit is verified with a quantum simulator and the real effect of noise is estimated using a five-qubit superconductivity-based IBM quantum computer. The possibilities of measuring the correct states can be increased by improving the connectivity of the most computation intensive qubits. Depolarizing error is the most influential error. The quantum method to exactly compares two patents is hard to simulate classically and thus creates a quantum advantage in patent analysis.

Racial gaps in vaccine uptake in the United States have been widely reported. Existing studies, however, have not explored how individuals’ concerns about COVID-19 vaccines are clustered. In this study, racial and ethnic background is linked to constellations of COVID-19 vaccine concerns during the early phase of vaccines in the United States, using the Household Pulse Survey (N = 60,492). Latent class analysis reveals five distinct classes of vaccine concerns: general skepticism, distrust of science and the government, safety, a desire to wait and see, and vague uncertainty. Compared to Whites, people of color more consistently report vaccine hesitancy due to safety and a desire to wait and see, rather than distrust of science and the government. Whites, however, more consistently report general skepticism and distrust of science and the government. Our findings suggest that distrust of science and government is not central to racial minorities' vaccine hesitancy, but it is so for Whites.

Coupling phenomenon between two Al/SiO2/Si(p) metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) tunneling diodes (TD) with various thin oxide thicknesses was studied in detail. When the bias voltage at one MIS TD is positive enough, the saturation currents of the two neighboring MIS TDs with concentric gate structures would be approximately the same due to saturation current coupling effect though the areas of these two devices are different. With thinner oxide, the saturation current coupling effect occurs earlier. This result indicates an enhancement of coupling sensitivity between two neighboring MIS TDs with thinner oxide. A physical mechanism of lateral minority carrier flow attracted by the fringing field was given to explain this phenomenon. Moreover, this oxide thickness dependent phenomenon of coupling effect was confirmed by capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics, and the fringing field extension and strengthening were clarified by 2D TCAD simulation.

Abstract Background The impact of poor oral health on older adults’ quality of life is a public health problem. In this study, the mediating effects of dental status, occlusal condition, dysphagia, and masticatory performance on the association between xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were assessed in the older adult population. Methods Stratified cluster sampling was used to recruit 1076 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Community care centers were randomly selected according to their geographic classifications (urban, rural, or mountainous areas). Assessments of dental status and occlusal condition were performed by dentists. Information on demographics, physical function, xerostomia, dysphagia and depression was collected through face-to-face interviews. Masticatory performance was evaluated using color-changeable chewing gum. OHRQoL was measured using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. Hierarchical regression models were used to assess the relationships between OHRQoL and physical function, dental status and oral function in older adults. Path analysis was used to estimate direct and indirect pathways between xerostomia and OHRQoL. Results Participants with xerostomia exhibited a 0.20 OHRQoL reduction (p

Abstract Background Numerous studies have documented factors that are associated with substance use behaviors among college-aged individuals. However, relatively few studies have considered the heterogeneity of the college experience by field of study (i.e., college major) and how that educational context might affect students’ health behaviors differently. Drawing from theories and prior research, this study investigates whether college majors are associated with different substance use behaviors, both during college and upon graduation. Methods The study analyzed longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 97 (N = 1031), specifically data on individuals who obtained a bachelor’s degree, to examine the associations between college fields of study and trajectories of three substance use behaviors: smoking, heavy alcohol use, and marijuana use. Results The results indicate that social science and business majors were associated with more substance use behaviors than arts and humanities and STEM majors. However, social science majors were associated with a faster decrease in substance use behaviors over time. Importantly, the differences we found in mean levels of substance use behaviors and trajectories were not explained by demographic characteristics, family SES background, childhood health conditions, and employment experience. Further analysis that examined college major and each substance use behavior individually suggests that the associations were stronger for heavy alcohol use and marijuana use. Moreover, we found the associations were more pronounced in men than women. Conclusions The study finds that not all college majors show the same level of engagement in substance use behaviors over time, and that the associations also vary by (1) the specific substance use behavior examined and (2) by gender. These findings suggest it is important to consider that the different learning and educational contexts that college majors provide may also be more or less supportive of certain health behaviors, such as substance use. Practical implications are discussed.

Abstract Backgroud The objectives of this study were to try to identify the key dimension in satisfaction from the combination of satisfaction clusters, and its effect on the change of OHRQoL(Oral Health-related Quality of Life) of elderly denture users. Methods This follow-up study was conducted in subjects aged 65 years and over. All participants (n = 2128) completed questionnaires before and approximately 6 months after receiving complete denture. Information obtained by questionnaire included demographic characteristics, patients’ self-satisfaction rate and OHRQoL. The 6 satisfaction dimensions (including speaking, stability, esthetic, chewing, doctor and general dimensions) were classified as 5 cluster groups, which is the group of not at all satisfied in all dimensions (NAS); only satisfied with doctor and general dimensions(SDG); moderate satisfaction group(MS); quite satisfied group(QS); the highly satisfied group(HS) by an analysis of PCA (Principle component analysis) and CA (cluster analysis). Multiple linear regression was adapted to estimate the association between satisfaction and the responsiveness of OHIP-7T (Oral Health Impact Profile). Results When compared to the cluster “NAS”, the greatest improvement of OHRQoL after treatment was found in the group “HS” (β = 7.31(6.26–8.36), followed by group “QS” (β = 4.71(3.54–5.87)), group “MS” (β = 4.33(2.92–5.74)) and group “SDG” (β = 3.25(2.10–4.41)). An increasing trend was detected in patient-rating satisfaction and OHRQoL. The satisfaction cluster group is an important factor of OHRQoL after adjusting for other confounders. Conclusion Psychological-related aspects is the greatest impacting dimension on OHRQoL among denture wearers in Taiwan elderly. Better communication from the dental professional team with denture patients would improve their OHRQoL.

Introduction: The social integration of older adults is crucial for understanding their risk of infection and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the social lives of older adults differ, which means they are not all vulnerable to COVID-19 in the same way. This study analyzes everyday time use and social contacts of older adults to inform discussions of their vulnerabilities during the pandemic.Methods: Using the 2019 American time use survey (N = 4,256, aged 55 and older), hurdle model regressions were used to examine the relationship between age, gender, and six indicators of the degree of social contact and time use, including (1) time alone, (2) time spent with family members, (3) time spent with non-family members, (4) time spent with people in the same household, (5) number of public spaces visited, and (6) time spent in public spaces.Results: Results showed substantial heterogeneity in everyday time use and social contacts. Time in public places gradually decreased from the oldest-old (85 years or older), old-old (75–84 years), to mid-life (55–64 years) adults. The gaps were not explained by age differences in sociodemographic characteristics and social roles. Compared with mid-life adults, time with family members of the young-old and old-old adults decreased, but time with non-family members increased. Age differences in social roles over the life course partially explained the differences.Conclusions: Should these patterns of time use and social contacts persist during COVID-19; then, such variations in the organization of social life may create different exposure contexts and vulnerabilities to social distancing measures among older adults; such information could help inform interventions to better protect this population.

Background The X-linked tumor suppressor gene LDOC1 is reported to be involved in oral cancer. The detection of biomarkers in salivary RNA is a non-invasive strategy for diagnosing many diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of salivary LDOC1 as a biomarker of oral cancer. Methods We determined the expression levels of LDOC1 in the saliva of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) subjects, and investigated its correlation with various clinicopathological characteristics. The expression levels of salivary LDOC1 were detected in 53 OSCC subjects and 43 healthy controls using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. We used Fisher’s exact test to analyze the correlations between expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics. Results Salivary LDOC1 was significantly upregulated in females with OSCC (p = 0.0072), and significantly downregulated in males with OSCC (p = 0.0206). Eighty-nine percent of male OSCC subjects who smoked expressed low levels of LDOC1. OSCC cell lines derived from male OSCC subjects expressed low levels of LDOC1. Conclusions A high level of salivary LDOC1 expression is a biomarker of OSCC in females. A high percentage of male OSCC subjects who smoke express low levels of salivary LDOC1. A low level of salivary LDOC1 expression is a biomarker of OSCC in males.

This study developed a novel chair-side tongue pressure (TP) measuring instrument with a disposable positioning mouthpiece controlled using a smartphone application (APP), denoted as the TP wireless application (TPWA). The mouthpiece was designed with a palate-shaped air balloon containing a tongue contact bump and a plastic bite positioning tube. Fatigue load testing was performed to evaluate mouthpiece durability by applying 700 displacement cycles (50 times a day for one week during training, with twice the safety factor) on the air balloon. The main component used in developing this instrument was a silicon pressure sensor equipped with wireless Bluetooth connection. Young (52 adults; mean age = 20.23 ± 2.17) and elderly (40 adults; mean age = 72.60 ± 7.03) individuals participated in the test with the new instrument, with the results compared to those of a commercial device. The TPWA mouthpiece fatigue test showed that mean response pressures were maintained at 12 kPa. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were found during testing repetitions 0–10 and 701–710. There were no significant differences in the maximum TP values presented between the test sequences using different instruments for young and elderly participants. The TPWA results showed that TP values gradually decreased with increasing age (40.77 kPa for young and 16.55 kPa for elderly participants). The maximum TP for males (43.51 kPa) was significantly larger than that for females (35.14 kPa) in the young group, but an opposite trend was seen in the elderly group (12.97 for males and 17.59 for females). Thus, this study developed a novel chair-side TP measurement instrument with Bluetooth wireless mobile application control. A durable positioning oral mouthpiece was approved for measuring pressure sufficiently, reliably, and precisely for TP screening.

Background/purpose: Improper assessment of the maxillary buccal vestibular space can contribute to the fabrication of maxillary dentures with inadequate buccal flange extensions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a significant difference existed between the anatomic dimensions of the buccal vestibules and the corresponding buccal flanges of maxillary complete dentures in an edentulous population. Materials and methods: The anterior, middle, and posterior depth and width of the maxillary buccal vestibules in 100 randomly selected subjects were measured with a periodontal probe. Corresponding measurements of the buccal flanges of the subjects' existing dentures were recorded. The differences between buccal vestibule widths and depths and denture flange widths and lengths were statistically compared according to site. Results: The difference in the mean depth between the vestibules and the flanges in the posterior area (6.4 mm and 10.3 mm, respectively) was approximately 38% (P

Background/purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the essential functional qualities of complete dentures and participants' oral health-related well-being among an elderly edentulous population. Materials and methods: Four hundred elderly participants from Taiwan, aged ≥ 65 years, with diverse levels of formal education, received intraoral examinations in accordance with the 10 criteria embedded in the Functional Assessment of Dentures (FAD) and personal interviews in accordance with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14. The mean OHIP-14 scores were compared among categories using a t test or ANOVA. A multiple-regression analysis was used to identify significant FAD criteria related to specific OHIP-14 domains, while adjusting for gender, age, and educational level. Results: Maxillary stability and retention, denture articulation, and occlusion demonstrated significant relationships with the mean OHIP-14 scores and individual mean OHIP-14 domain scores. Maxillary denture stability and denture articulation were the two most significant denture-related variables. Conclusion: A stable and retentive maxillary denture with adequate articulation provided the optimal environment for oral function with the highest level of patient oral health-related well-being in this elderly population.

This study aimed to evaluate the tongue’s role in supporting maxillary denture retention (MDR), in providing additional stabilization for the mandibular denture, and the tongue’s relationship with the oral health-related well being in elderly complete denture patients. Four hundred elderly individuals, 263 males and 137 females, were enrolled in this study. All were older than 65 years, and wore complete dentures. Intraoral examinations were performed in accordance with the 10 criteria embedded in the Functional Assessment of Dentures (FAD). Participants also received personal interviews and completed the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The associations between MDR (tongue support) with the mean OHIP-14 sum scores and FAD categories were analyzed using the t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Combinations of MDR (tongue support), MDR (resistance to vertical pull), and mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement) were also assessed with the remaining FAD criteria and OHIP-14 domain scores. Individuals with adequate MDR (tongue support) were significantly associated with denture articulation, denture occlusion, MDR (resistance to vertical pull), maxillary denture stability (pronounced rocking), and mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement). When individuals with adequate MDR (tongue support) were analyzed in conjunction with adequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull) and adequate mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement), significant associations were observed with the mean OHIP-14 sum score and three individual OHIP-14 domains: functional limitation, physical pain, and physical disability (p ＜ 0.05). The mean OHIP-14 sum score was lower among individuals with both adequate MDR (tongue support) and inadequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull) than among participants with both inadequate MDR (tongue support) and inadequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull). MDR (tongue support) demonstrated significant differences from denture occlusion, denture articulation, MDR (resistance to vertical pull), maxillary denture stability (pronounced rocking), and mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement). MDR (tongue support), in conjunction with both adequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull) and adequate mandibular stability (anterior–posterior movement), were significantly associated with the individuals’ oral health-related well being.