Improved transient silencing of gene expression in the mosquito female Aedes aegypti.

Gene silencing using RNA interference (RNAi) has become a widely used genetic technique to study gene function in many organisms. In insects, this technique is often applied through the delivery of dsRNA. In the adult female Aedes aegypti, a main vector of human-infecting arboviruses, efficiency of gene silencing following dsRNA injection varies greatly according to targeted genes. Difficult knockdowns using dsRNA can thus hamper gene function analysis. Here, by analysing silencing of three different genes in female Ae. aegypti (p400, ago2 and E75), we show that gene silencing can indeed be dsRNA sequence dependent but different efficiencies do not correlate with dsRNA length. Our findings suggest that silencing is likely also gene dependent, probably due to gene-specific tissue expression and/or feedback mechanisms. We demonstrate that use of high doses of dsRNA can improve knockdown efficiency, and injection of a transfection reagent along with dsRNA reduces the variability in efficiency between replicates. Finally, we show that gene silencing cannot be achieved using siRNA injection in Ae. aegypti adult females. Overall, this work should help future gene function analyses using RNAi in adult females Ae. aegypti, leading toward a better understanding of physiological and infectious processes.

Short implants (≤6mm) as an alternative treatment option to maxillary sinus lift.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate survival rate of short dental implants placed in the posterior area of the maxilla. The electronic literature search of studies published between January 1, 2010 and February 29, 2020 was performed using specific word combinations. The outcome was to meta-analyse the implant survival rate (ISR). The search generated 238 potential studies. After screening procedures, only nine randomized controlled trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for qualitative and quantitative analysis. ISR of short implants ranged from 91.9% to 100%, while standard-length implants ISR ranged from 82.9% to 100% with a follow-up from 1 to 5 years in function. The risk ratio difference was 1.24 (95% confidence interval: 0.63-2.45, P=0.52) for short dental implants failure when compared with standard dental implants, and was not statistically significant. Based on the evidence of the included studies, short implants (≤6mm) reported high survival rates over short to medium follow-up in posterior maxilla, but the long-term success is as yet not demonstrated.

Rehabilitation of a severe mandibular atrophy with four millimeter extra-short implant and guided bone regeneration (GBR): case report with 7-years follow-up.

The aim of this study was to report the use of extra-short and short implants in combination with Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) to rehabilitate a case of severe mandibular reabsorption. A 55-yearold female patient asked for a fixed implant supported rehabilitation in 4.5 - 4.6 zone which showed severe atrophy. It was decided to use an extra-short 4 mm length and 4.1 mm Ø, Roxolid and SLActive implant (Straumann Standard Plus Regular Neck, Institut Straumann AG) in 4.5 position and a short 6 mm length and 4.8 mm Ø, Roxolid and SLActive implant (Straumann Standard Plus Wide Neck, Institut Straumann AG) in 4.6 position. The implants supported cemented fixed prosthesis. Examinations were performed at the day of the surgery and up to 7-years in function to evaluate implant stability and periapical radiography. One extra-short implant and one short implant were placed. After 7 years in function no biological or prosthetic complication were recorded. Within the limitation of this case report, the use of short and extra-short implants to support fixed prosthesis seem to be a feasible treatment alternative in severe mandibular atrophy.

Full-digital workflow to rehabilitate a high value aesthetic zone. A case report.

Replacing missing teeth in the aesthetic area is a clinical challenge which must be solved by a multidisciplinary approach in order to obtain an esthetic and functional implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. First therapeutic choice should be the less invasive option, in accordance with patients' expectations. The present clinical case presents the rehabilitation of the upper incisor group using a full-digital workflow to reduce operative time, costs and patient discomfort. The use of computer-guided-surgery and 3D technologies, as intraoral scanners or cone-beam-computed-tomography, allows the clinician to visualize all patient's information when planning the rehabilitation in order to obtain a more predictable and a less invasive surgery.

[Flunitrazepam anesthesia and voluntary abortion in the first trimester (author's transl)]. / L'impiego del flunitrazepam nell'anestesia per l'interruzione volontaria della gravidanza (IVG) nel primo trimestre.

PIP: Intravenous flunitrazepam was used for 300 patients undergoing voluntary abortion by vacuum aspiration. 3 hours after the operation, all patients were completely conscious and able to leave the ward. 96.6% (288 subjects) had no memory of the procedure. Side effects were minimal and mild. Thus, this type of anesthesia is considered suitable in this type of surgery. (author's modified)^ieng