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Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Jul 2023Infections of orbit and periorbita are frequent, leading to significant morbidity. Orbital cellulitis is more common in children and young adults. At any age, infection... (Review)
Review
Infections of orbit and periorbita are frequent, leading to significant morbidity. Orbital cellulitis is more common in children and young adults. At any age, infection from the neighboring ethmoid sinuses is a likely cause and is thought to result from anatomical characteristics like thin medial wall, lack of lymphatics, orbital foramina, and septic thrombophlebitis of the valveless veins between the two. Other causes are trauma, orbital foreign bodies, preexisting dental infections, dental procedures, maxillofacial surgeries, Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF), and retinal buckling procedures. The septum is a natural barrier to the passage of microorganisms. Orbital infections are caused by Gram-positive, Gram-negative organisms and anaerobes in adults and in children, usually by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus species. Individuals older than 15 years of age are more likely to harbor polymicrobial infections. Signs include diffuse lid edema with or without erythema, chemosis, proptosis, and ophthalmoplegia. It is an ocular emergency requiring admission, intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes surgical intervention. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the main modalities to identify the extent, route of spread from adjacent structures, and poor response to intravenous antibiotics and to confirm the presence of complications. If orbital cellulitis is secondary to sinus infection, drainage of pus and establishment of ventilation to the sinus are imperative. Loss of vision can occur due to orbital abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis, optic neuritis, central retinal artery occlusion, and exposure keratopathy, and possible systemic sequelae include meningitis, intracranial abscess, osteomyelitis, and death. The article was written by authors after a thorough literature search in the PubMed-indexed journals.
Topics: Child; Young Adult; Humans; Orbital Cellulitis; Abscess; Orbit; Exophthalmos; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37417106
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_3283_22 -
European Journal of Dentistry Jul 2023This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional occlusal analysis in contrast with digital occlusal analysis in natural dentition. Occlusal analysis...
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional occlusal analysis in contrast with digital occlusal analysis in natural dentition. Occlusal analysis allows the identification of normal and abnormal occlusal contact points that alter the craniomandibular cervical system. We searched for articles with keywords [[dental occlusion]], [[natural dentition]], [[occlusal adjustment]], [[Immediate Complete Anterior Guidance Development]] [[mastication]], [[bite force]], [[premature contact]], [[occlusal balance]] [[articulating paper]]], [[spray]], [[Occlusal contacts]], and [[bite strength]]. They were considered observational , odds ratio and case control studies. We found 189 items. After evaluating the abstracts and full texts of the articles, 10 papers met the inclusion criteria. It was found that occlusal analysis allows the identification of the relationship between poor occlusion and the sensitivity of the teeth due to occlusal trauma, which is also related to temporomandibular joint pain in dynamic occlusion. The contacts of greater strength were observed in nonfunctional cusps, 48%, without ruling out the functional cusps, 24%. Despite being the universal method of occlusal control to date, the use of joint paper, remains subjective compared to the digital occlusal control device. Posture is considered directly related to occlusal trauma and temporomandibular disorders; without proper occlusal analysis, a clear diagnosis of the patient's joint condition cannot be obtained. Digital occlusal analysis is more objective than traditional occlusal analysis.
PubMed: 36252609
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755626 -
Circulation Aug 2023Gut microbiota have been implicated in atherosclerotic disease, but their relation with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis is unclear. This study aimed to identify...
BACKGROUND
Gut microbiota have been implicated in atherosclerotic disease, but their relation with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis is unclear. This study aimed to identify associations between the gut microbiome and computed tomography-based measures of coronary atherosclerosis and to explore relevant clinical correlates.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 8973 participants (50 to 65 years of age) without overt atherosclerotic disease from the population-based SCAPIS (Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study). Coronary atherosclerosis was measured using coronary artery calcium score and coronary computed tomography angiography. Gut microbiota species abundance and functional potential were assessed with shotgun metagenomics sequencing of fecal samples, and associations with coronary atherosclerosis were evaluated with multivariable regression models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. Associated species were evaluated for association with inflammatory markers, metabolites, and corresponding species in saliva.
RESULTS
The mean age of the study sample was 57.4 years, and 53.7% were female. Coronary artery calcification was detected in 40.3%, and 5.4% had at least 1 stenosis with >50% occlusion. Sixty-four species were associated with coronary artery calcium score independent of cardiovascular risk factors, with the strongest associations observed for and subsp (<1×10). Associations were largely similar across coronary computed tomography angiography-based measurements. Out of the 64 species, 19 species, including streptococci and other species commonly found in the oral cavity, were associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein plasma concentrations, and 16 with neutrophil counts. Gut microbial species that are commonly found in the oral cavity were negatively associated with plasma indole propionate and positively associated with plasma secondary bile acids and imidazole propionate. Five species, including 3 streptococci, correlated with the same species in saliva and were associated with worse dental health in the Malmö Offspring Dental Study. Microbial functional potential of dissimilatory nitrate reduction, anaerobic fatty acid β-oxidation, and amino acid degradation were associated with coronary artery calcium score.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence of an association of a gut microbiota composition characterized by increased abundance of spp and other species commonly found in the oral cavity with coronary atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation markers. Further longitudinal and experimental studies are warranted to explore the potential implications of a bacterial component in atherogenesis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Coronary Artery Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Calcium; Atherosclerosis; Streptococcus
PubMed: 37435755
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.063914 -
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric... Sep 2023Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are the preferred restoration of pediatric dentists for children requiring a pediatric dental rehabilitation due to their low cost and...
Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are the preferred restoration of pediatric dentists for children requiring a pediatric dental rehabilitation due to their low cost and durability. Despite low technique sensitivity SSC placement can be challenging in some clinical situations including when placed on primary canines. Primary canines restored with SSCs often result in premature contacts and posterior open bite making acquiring an "as the patient presented" (ATPP) occlusion difficult when providing a pediatric dental rehabilitation. Opening of the posterior occlusion due to premature canine contact in a dental rehabilitation is often viewed as unavoidable. This technique article describes a simple method to address this clinical situation and reviews basic principles and techniques for placing SSCs.
Topics: Child; Humans; Dentists; Open Bite
PubMed: 37732429
DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2023.047 -
Ophthalmology Jan 2024To evaluate the 24-week efficacy and safety of the dual angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A inhibitor faricimab versus aflibercept in...
PURPOSE
To evaluate the 24-week efficacy and safety of the dual angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A inhibitor faricimab versus aflibercept in patients with vein occlusion.
DESIGN
Phase 3, global, randomized, double-masked, active comparator-controlled trials: BALATON/COMINO (ClincalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT04740905/NCT04740931; sites: 149/192).
PARTICIPANTS
Patients with treatment-naïve foveal center-involved macular edema resulting from branch (BALATON) or central or hemiretinal (COMINO) RVO.
METHODS
Patients were randomized 1:1 to faricimab 6.0 mg or aflibercept 2.0 mg every 4 weeks for 24 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Primary end point: change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to week 24. Efficacy analyses included patients in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses included patients who received ≥ 1 doses of study drug.
RESULTS
Enrollment: BALATON, n = 553; COMINO, n = 729. The BCVA gains from the baseline to week 24 with faricimab were noninferior versus aflibercept in BALATON (adjusted mean change, +16.9 letters [95.03% confidence interval (CI), 15.7-18.1 letters] vs. +17.5 letters [95.03% CI, 16.3-18.6 letters]) and COMINO (+16.9 letters [95.03% CI, 15.4-18.3 letters] vs. +17.3 letters [95.03% CI, 15.9-18.8 letters]). Adjusted mean central subfield thickness reductions from the baseline were comparable for faricimab and aflibercept at week 24 in BALATON (-311.4 μm [95.03% CI, -316.4 to -306.4 μm] and -304.4 μm [95.03% CI, -309.3 to -299.4 μm]) and COMINO (-461.6 μm [95.03% CI, -471.4 to -451.9 μm] and -448.8 μm [95.03% CI, -458.6 to -439.0 μm]). A greater proportion of patients in the faricimab versus aflibercept arm achieved absence of fluorescein angiography-based macular leakage at week 24 in BALATON (33.6% vs. 21.0%; nominal P = 0.0023) and COMINO (44.4% vs. 30.0%; nominal P = 0.0002). Faricimab was well tolerated, with an acceptable safety profile comparable with aflibercept. The incidence of ocular adverse events was similar between patients receiving faricimab (16.3% [n = 45] and 23.0% [n = 84] in BALATON and COMINO, respectively) and aflibercept (20.4% [n = 56] and 27.7% [n = 100], respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate the efficacy and safety of faricimab, a dual Ang-2/VEGF-A inhibitor, in patients with macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)
Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
PubMed: 38280653
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2024.01.029 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Aug 2023Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional malformation of the spine. Although its etiology is still being investigated, it is clear that a number of factors can influence...
INTRODUCTION
Scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional malformation of the spine. Although its etiology is still being investigated, it is clear that a number of factors can influence this syndrome. The spinal deformity of idiopathic scoliosis can be viewed from an etiopathogenetic perspective as a symptom of a complicated condition with a multifactorial etiology. Numerous studies have established its relationship with malocclusion, but it is still unclear how these factors interact. Malocclusion is a change in the physiological alignment of the upper and lower teeth that can be either dental or skeletal in origin. This study's objective is to assess the relationship between scoliosis and malocclusion.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A total of 646 patients were enrolled (554 females and 92 males), 447 with scoliosis and 199 without, from private dental and orthopedic practices, to answer an anonymous questionnaire. They were selected in private dental and orthopedic practices where they had dental and orthopedic examinations. Twenty-two patients were excluded because of a lack of answers. Participants were given a bilingual survey, in English and Italian, composed of 13 questions formulated specifically for this study, using Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA).
RESULTS
Univariate analysis of the question "Do you have scoliosis?" shows a significant correlation with the following questions: "Was scoliosis a family issue?" ( < 0.05 OR 7.30 IC: 3.05-17.46) "Do you have malocclusion?" ( < 0.05, OR: 1.19 IC:1.0-1.34) and "Was mal-occlusion a family issue?" ( < 0.01, OR: 1.39 IC 1.10-1.77). Performing a multivariate analysis for the same variables, the best predictors of scoliosis were "Was scoliosis a family issue?" ( < 0.001) and "Was malocclusion a family issue?" ( < 0.05), while the question "Do you have malocclusion" lost significance.
CONCLUSION
This study adds further confirmation that there might be an important connection between malocclusion and scoliosis; it suggests that dentists and orthopedists have to check, as early as possible, for the probable presence of both pathologies to avoid a severe progression which, in most cases, may require significant therapy and even surgery.
PubMed: 37623498
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13081249