Characterisation of the correlations between oxidative potential and in vitro biological effects of PM10 at three sites in the central Mediterranean.

Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is one of the major risks for global health. The exact mechanisms of toxicity are still not completely understood leading to contrasting results when different toxicity metrics are compared. In this work, PM10 was collected at three sites for the determination of acellular oxidative potential (OP), intracellular oxidative stress (OSGC), cytotoxicity (MTT assay), and genotoxicity (Comet assay). The in vitro tests were done on the A549 cell line. The objective was to investigate the correlations among acellular and intracellular toxicity indicators, the variability among the sites, and how these correlations were influenced by the main sources by using PMF receptor model coupled with MLR. The OPDTTV, OSGCV, and cytotoxicity were strongly influenced by combustion sources. Advection of African dust led to lower-than-average intrinsic toxicity indicators. OPDTTV and OSGCV showed site-dependent correlations suggesting that acellular OP may not be fully representative of the intracellular oxidative stress at all sites and conditions. Cytotoxicity correlated with both OPDTTV and OSGCV at two sites out of three and the strength of the correlation was larger with OSGCV. Genotoxicity was correlated with cytotoxicity at all sites and correlated with both, OPDTTV and OSGCV, at two sites out of three. Results suggest that several toxicity indicators are useful to gain a global picture of the potential health effects of PM.

Colorimetric Paper-Based Device for Hazardous Compounds Detection in Air and Water: A Proof of Concept.

In the last decades, the increase in global industrialization and the consequent technological progress have damaged the quality of the environment. As a consequence, the high levels of hazardous compounds such as metals and gases released in the atmosphere and water, have raised several concerns about the health of living organisms. Today, many analytical techniques are available with the aim to detect pollutant chemical species. However, a lot of them are not affordable due to the expensive instrumentations, time-consuming processes and high reagents volumes. Last but not least, their use is exclusive to trained operators. Contrarily, colorimetric sensing devices, including paper-based devices, are easy to use, providing results in a short time, without particular specializations to interpret the results. In addition, the colorimetric response is suitable for fast detection, especially in resource-limited environments or underdeveloped countries. Among different chemical species, transition and heavy metals such as iron Fe(II) and copper Cu(II) as well as volatile compounds, such as ammonia (NH3) and acetaldehyde (C2H4O) are widespread mainly in industrialized geographical areas. In this work, we developed a colorimetric paper-based analytical device (PAD) to detect different contaminants, including Fe2+ and Cu2+ ions in water, and NH3 and C2H4O in air at low concentrations. This study is a "proof of concept" of a new paper sensor in which the intensity of the colorimetric response is proportional to the concentration of a detected pollutant species. The sensor model could be further implemented in other technologies, such as drones, individual protection devices or wearable apparatus to monitor the exposure to toxic species in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Herbst appliance anchored to miniscrews with 2 types of ligation: Effectiveness in skeletal Class II treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusions with an acrylic splint Herbst appliance anchored to miniscrews with 2 types of ligation. METHODS: Sixty patients (mean age, 11.6 years; SD, 1.9) with a bilateral Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion were retrospectively selected and divided into 3 homogeneous and balanced groups on the basis of the Herbst anchorage used: without anchorage, miniscrews with elastic chains, and miniscrews with metallic ligatures. A cephalometric sagittal occlusion analysis merged with mandibular incisor proclination and skeletal divergence was carried out before and after treatment. To compare the absolute variations within and among the groups, we performed the 1-sample t test for repeated measures and 1-way analysis of variance, respectively. RESULTS: Overjet was reduced similarly in all groups (P <0.05). The mandibular bone base length increased in the group with elastic chains only (P = 0.001). The change in the distance between Point A and pogonion showed the most reduction in the group with elastic chains (P <0.05). Incisive flaring was more pronounced in the group with no anchorage than in the group with elastic chains (P <0.001) and the group with metallic ligatures (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Anchorage to miniscrews with elastic chains increases the orthopedic effect of the acrylic splint Herbst appliance. It has been confirmed that skeletal anchorage reduces incisor flaring.

Comparison of maxillary molar distalization with an implant-supported distal jet and a traditional tooth-supported distal jet appliance.

Aim. To investigate and compare the efficiency of two appliances for molar distalization: the bone-anchored distal screw (DS) and the traditional tooth-supported distal jet (DJ) for molar distalization and anchorage loss. Methods. Tests (18 subjects) were treated with a DS and controls (18 subjects) were treated with a DJ. Lateral cephalograms were obtained before and at the end of molar distalization and were analysed. Shapiro Wilk test, unpaired t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were applied according to values distribution. The α level was fixed at 0.05. Results. Maxillary first molars were successfully distalized into a Class I relationship in all patients. The mean molar distalization and treatment time were similar in both groups. The DS group exhibited a spontaneous distalization (2.1 ± 0.9 mm) of the first premolar with control of anchorage loss, distal tipping, extrusion, and skeletal changes. Conclusions. The DS is an adequate compliance-free distalizing appliance that can be used safely for the correction of Class II malocclusions. In comparison to the traditional DJ, the DS enables not only a good rate of molar distalization, but also a spontaneous distalization of the first premolars.

Comparison between an Acrylic Splint Herbst and an Acrylic Splint Miniscrew-Herbst for Mandibular Incisors Proclination Control.

Aim. The aim of this study is to compare dental and skeletal effects produced by an acrylic splint Herbst with and without skeletal anchorage for correction of dental class II malocclusion. Methods. The test group was formed by 14 patients that were treated with an acrylic splint miniscrew-Herbst; miniscrews were placed between mandibular second premolars and first molars; controls also consisted of 14 subjects that were treated with an acrylic splint Herbst and no miniscrews. Cephalometric measurements before and after Herbst treatment were compared. The value of α for significance was set at 0.05. Results. All subjects from both groups were successfully treated to a bilateral Class I relationship; mean treatment time was 8,1 months in the test group and 7.8 in the controls. Several variables did not have a statistical significant difference between the two groups. Some of the variables, instead, presented a significant difference such as incisor flaring, mandibular bone base position, and skeletal discrepancy. Conclusions. This study showed that the Herbst appliance associated to miniscrews allowed a better control of the incisor flaring with a greater mandibular skeletal effect.

Acrylic splint Herbst and Hanks telescoping Herbst: a retrospective study of emergencies, retreatments, treatment times and failures.

INTRODUCTION: The Herbst appliance has been reported to be one of the most efficient for the correction of class II malocclusions. However, there are many complications that make its use difficult for clinicians and patients (splint loosening, telescope breakage, splint breakage, low comfort). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare emergencies, retreatments, failures and overall treatment time of two types of Herbst appliances: the HT Herbst and the acrylic splint Herbst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and eight patients with Class II malocclusion were selected consecutively in a private practice. They were treated either with an acrylic splint Herbst (155 pt, mean age 10.3 ± 3.7) or with a HT Herbst (53 pt, mean age 11.3 ± 4.2 years). Tables were used for each patient to record the following complications, if present: detached Herbst, broken and repaired Herbst, broken and rebuilt Herbst (emergencies), Herbst that had to be re-made for lack of patient cooperation (retreatments) and appliances that had to be removed (failed treatment). RESULTS: Results showed that the HT Herbst and the acrylic splint Herbst have the same retreatment probability and the same treatment time. Moreover, the HTH has a lower risk of functional impairment: the acrylic splint Herbst has an emergency probability that is twice as high as the HTH. On the other hand, the HTH has a failure frequency that is nearly 6 times higher than the traditional Herbst although the statistical analysis could not provide any certain conclusion about it. CONCLUSION: In cases where a higher relative risk of failure for the traditional Herbst was confirmed, the HTH proved to be a better appliance than the traditional Herbst.

Early interceptive treatment in the primary dentition - a case report.

This article describes treatment of a patient presenting with a class II malocclusion, maxillary and mandibular crowding, posterior crossbite and an increased deep bite, where the specific treatment goals were achieved in the early mixed dentition by only working on the primary teeth. A Haas-type rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliance was modified to be anchored on the primary second molars and canines and activated once a day, with each activation equal to 0.20 mm. The appliance was blocked after 30 days and left as a retainer. After 6 months, the RME appliance was removed and bands were cemented to the primary second molars in order to apply traction with headgear. After complete eruption of the mandibular central and lateral incisors, sequential slicing of the lower primary teeth was performed to transfer the leeway space from the distal to the mesial part of the arch. When the patient had entered the permanent dentition, a dental class I relationship was achieved, the crossbite corrected and the crowding improved. The overjet and overbite were also improved. No permanent teeth were involved during this phase of treatment. The outcome of this case report shows that it is possible to work only on primary teeth in the mixed dentition and this can be an effective way to correct a class II malocclusion with deep bite, posterior crossbite and maxillary and mandibular crowding.

From 2D to 3D: Construction of a 3D Parametric Model for Detection of Dental Roots Shape and Position from a Panoramic Radiograph-A Preliminary Report.

Objectives. To build a 3D parametric model to detect shape and volume of dental roots, from a panoramic radiograph (PAN) of the patient. Materials and Methods. A PAN and a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of a patient were acquired. For each tooth, various parameters were considered (coronal and root lengths and widths): these were measured from the CBCT and from the PAN. Measures were compared to evaluate the accuracy level of PAN measurements. By using a CAD software, parametric models of an incisor and of a molar were constructed employing B-spline curves and free-form surfaces. PAN measures of teeth 2.1 and 3.6 were assigned to the parametric models; the same two teeth were segmented from CBCT. The two models were superimposed to assess the accuracy of the parametric model. Results. PAN measures resulted to be accurate and comparable with all other measurements. From model superimposition the maximum error resulted was 1.1 mm on the incisor crown and 2 mm on the molar furcation. Conclusion. This study shows that it is possible to build a 3D parametric model starting from 2D information with a clinically valid accuracy level. This can ultimately lead to a crown-root movement simulation.

Non-surgical, non-extractive treatment of a severe class III malocclusion in permanent dentition: follow-up of a case 24 years posttreatment.

This case shows a patient who had presented a severe Class III malocclusion, both maxillary and mandibular crowding and an impacted canine: she is now 24 years posttreatment. She was treated, in permanent dentition, by proclination of both maxillary and mandibular incisors, expansion of the maxillary arch and of the mandibular intercanine width and disinclusion of the impacted canine. At debonding, she presented well-aligned arch forms, a centered midline and a pleasant smile. Twenty-four years after treatment, her records show that the occlusion has remained stable. The use of wires of almost full thickness helped effectively control incisor torque, thus keeping the teeth inside the cortical bone and limiting the expected periodontal problems.