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Aerosol transmission is an important mode of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Dentists and dental hygienists, who provide medical treatment and care in the oral cavity, may be exposed to expiratory aerosols of asymptomatic infected persons. To compare the effectiveness of devices in reducing the risk of transmission to dentists and dental hygienists, we conducted experiments in a dental treatment room at Nippon Dental University. The measurements were carried out in five cases: a) the basic case (conventional air conditioning), b) a case with the circulator placed in the center of the room and operated in high air flow mode, c) a case with a circulator placed behind the patient and operated in low air flow mode, d) a case with the circulator blowing from inside to outside, e) a case using an extraoral vacuum, and f) a case with a portable neck fan hanging on the dentist manikin. The results indicated that all measures were effective in reducing the risk of infection, and case e showed the highest reduction in aerosol concentration. However, because extraoral vacuums are expensive, it is important to reduce the risk as much as possible by selecting circulators or portable neck fans according to the budget of each hospital.

This article discusses the standardization of laparoscopic pelvic exenteration (Lap-PE) for the treatment of pelvic malignancies. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding the complex pelvic anatomy for a safe and successful surgery. They introduce a technique called the lateral-first approach, which utilizes the umbilical ligament as a reliable surgical landmark. The authors provide an informative video demonstrating the Lap-PE procedure with the lateral-first approach. They conclude that this technique has the potential to be a valuable tool for Lap-PE surgeries. [Extracted from the article]

To perform complete mesocolic excision with central vessel ligation, it is important to recognize the vessel anomaly and the location of the tumor. For left‐sided colon cancer, the variations in the course of the left colic artery and accessary middle colic artery must be recognized preoperatively. Here, we describe our experience with a 57‐year‐old man who was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with complicated inter‐mesenteric connections between the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA), possibly due to median arcuate ligament syndrome. We performed laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with low ligation of the IMA to preserve the extremely enlarged left colic artery. The total operative time was 155 minutes, and the estimated total blood loss was 10 mL. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 9 without any postoperative complications. For patients with vascular anomalies in the left‐sided mesocolon, preoperatively ruling out SMA stenosis by using angiography and 3‐D CT might be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remimazolam is a new ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine with fast onset, quick recovery, and few side effects, such as hypotension and respiratory depression. It is expected to be safe and effective for a wide range of patients undergoing intravenous sedation for dental procedures. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate clinical and sedation outcomes for remimazolam, including method of administration, level of sedation at the dose required, and clinical adverse events. An electronic literature search of databases was conducted, and eight articles were selected for inclusion in this review. Onset time from drug administration to optimal sedation level was faster for remimazolam (around 1.5-6.4 min) than for midazolam. Recovery time was significantly shorter for remimazolam than for midazolam and propofol. A study comparing various doses of remimazolam with midazolam found no significant difference in safety. Comparison of a remimazolam group with a propofol group showed that incidences of hypotension (13.0% vs 42.9%, respectively) and respiratory depression (1.1% vs 6.9%, respectively) were significantly lower for remimazolam. Remimazolam appears to be an ideal sedative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. Periodontitis, one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, leads to alveolar bone destruction and subsequent tooth loss, and develops due to pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by periodontopathic bacteria. Periodontopathic bacteria are involved in respiratory diseases, including aspiration pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other systemic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Patients with these diseases have an increased COVID-19 aggravation rate and mortality. Because aspiration of periodontopathic bacteria induces the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and production of inflammatory cytokines in the lower respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene can lead to COVID-19 aggravation. Conversely, oral care, including periodontal treatment, prevents the onset of pneumonia and influenza and the exacerbation of COPD. The reduced chance of receiving professional oral care owing to long-term hospitalization of patients with COVID-19 may increase the aggravation risk of infection in the lower respiratory tract. It can be hypothesized that periodontopathic bacteria are involved in the COVID-19 aggravation and therefore, the management of good oral hygiene potentially contributes to its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. Nasopharyngeal swabs are widely used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect SARS-CoV-2. However, the collection of nasopharyngeal swabs has a series of drawbacks concerning exposure of healthcare staff, difficulty in collection, and discomfort of patients. Therefore, an alternative noninvasive sample for diagnostic of emerging viral diseases is required. The usefulness of saliva screening tests is compared to conventional swab tests in this report. The results suggest that saliva could be a reliable sample for detecting SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization. Periodontitis, one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, leads to alveolar bone destruction and subsequent tooth loss, and develops due to pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by periodontopathic bacteria. Periodontopathic bacteria are involved in respiratory diseases, including aspiration pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other systemic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Patients with these diseases have an increased COVID-19 aggravation rate and mortality. Because aspiration of periodontopathic bacteria induces the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and production of inflammatory cytokines in the lower respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene can lead to COVID-19 aggravation. Conversely, oral care, including periodontal treatment, prevents the onset of pneumonia and influenza and the exacerbation of COPD. The reduced chance of receiving professional oral care owing to long-term hospitalization of patients with COVID-19 may increase the aggravation risk of infection in the lower respiratory tract. It can be hypothesized that periodontopathic bacteria are involved in the COVID-19 aggravation and therefore, the management of good oral hygiene potentially contributes to its prevention.