Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Lung Disease and Its Association With Mortality.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the association of rheumatoid arthritis-related lung disease (RA-LD) and its subtypes with all-cause mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the present analyses, patients with RA who underwent computed tomography of the chest (chest-CT) were evaluated. RA-LD was defined in 4 subtypes as follows: interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), airway disease (RA-AD), rheumatoid pulmonary nodules (RA-PN), and RA-related pleural disease (RA-PD). The date of RA-LD diagnosis was considered the date of the first chest-CT detecting the pathology. To assess the factors associated with mortality, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with variables selected based on their causal associations with the outcome. RESULTS: Of 576 RA patients, 253 (43.9%) had RA-LD (38.7% male; mean age at RA-LD diagnosis, 59.9 ± 9.8 years). The most common subtype was RA-AD, which was detected in 119 (47.0%) patients followed by 107 (42.3%) with RA-ILD, 70 (27.7%) with RA-PN, and 31 (12.3%) with RA-PD. Sixty-one (24.1%) patients had 2+ subtypes. After median follow-up of 10.2 years, 97 (16.8%) died. The existence of at least 1 subtype and 2+ subtypes increased the all-cause mortality, as indicated by odds ratios of 1.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.48) and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.26-4.54), respectively. Among RA-LD patients, RA-ILD and RA-PD were associated with increased mortality (odds ratios were 2.20 [95% CI, 1.18-4.08] and 1.62 [95% CI, 0.70-3.75], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, RA-AD was the most common subtype, and the presence of RA-LD increased mortality. This effect was particularly pronounced in patients with RA-ILD and RA-PD or those presenting with 2+ subtypes.

Power Doppler signal at the enthesis and bone erosions are the most discriminative OMERACT ultrasound lesions for SpA: results from the DEUS (Defining Enthesitis on Ultrasound in Spondyloarthritis) multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess, in spondyloarthritis (SpA), the discriminative value of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) ultrasound lesions of enthesitis and their associations with clinical features in this population. METHODS: In this multicentre study involving 20 rheumatology centres, clinical and ultrasound examinations of the lower limb large entheses were performed in 413 patients with SpA (axial SpA and psoriatic arthritis) and 282 disease controls (osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia). 'Active enthesitis' was defined as (1) power Doppler (PD) at the enthesis grade ≥1 plus entheseal thickening and/or hypoechoic areas, or (2) PD grade >1 (independent of the presence of entheseal thickening and/or hypoechoic areas). RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, all OMERACT lesions except enthesophytes/calcifications showed a significant association with SpA. PD (OR=8.77, 95% CI 4.40 to 19.20, p<0.001) and bone erosions (OR=4.75, 95% CI 2.43 to 10.10, p<0.001) retained this association in the multivariate analysis. Among the lower limb entheses, only the Achilles tendon was significantly associated with SpA (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.88, p<0.001) in the multivariate analyses. Active enthesitis showed a significant association with SpA (OR=9.20, 95% CI 4.21 to 23.20, p<0.001), and unlike the individual OMERACT ultrasound lesions it was consistently associated with most clinical measures of SpA disease activity and severity in the regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicentre study assessed the value of different ultrasound findings of enthesitis in SpA, identifying the most discriminative ultrasound lesions and entheseal sites for SpA. Ultrasound could differentiate between SpA-related enthesitis and other forms of entheseal pathology (ie, mechanical enthesitis), thus improving the assessment of entheseal involvement in SpA.

The effect of COVID-19 on employees' mental health.

Long lockdowns, food shortages, and the inability to receive basic primary healthcare have aggravated the effects of pandemics. However, most studies have focused on the health problems of the infected people or the measures employed to keep the disease under control. This cross-sectional study focused primarily on the mental health issues of employees. By employing a convenient sampling method, we reached 237 respondents (135 with coronavirus history) to assess the impact of the pandemic on employees. Multivariate causal relationships were assessed with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The predictors included internal entrapment (INT) and difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), which are significant predictors of depression (DEPR). DIF was found to be a significant predictor of INT and EXT feelings, while FEAR was found to be a significant predictor of INT, DIF, and DEPR. Quality of life (QoL) was found to be a significant predictor of DIF and DDF, DEPR, EXT and INT, and FEAR. The results also showed that DIF mainly manifested its effect on depression through INT. The DEPR level of employees working only from home was higher than that of other employees. The depression levels of women, young employees, and those whose QoL was adversely affected by the coronavirus were higher than the rest.

COVID-19 and Quitting Jobs.

Despite substantial studies on COVID-19 and the problems employees face, the association between COVID-19 and resigning jobs has not caught the interest of researchers. Millions have already resigned from their employment, and more are expected to resign. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the demographics of employees, the course of COVID-19, perceived effect of COVID-19 on life (PEoC), fear, entrapment feeling, depression, and quitting the job during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was designed, and a convenient sampling method was adopted. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 26. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to reveal the relationship. Coefficients and significance values were used to interpret the results. Independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA are used to determine the difference across the groups. The correlation between depression and work location is statistically significant. The PEoC increases fear, internal and external entrapment, and depression. Despite the statistically significant correlations between quitting jobs and the education level, internal and external entrapment, PEoC, fear, and depression for employees who have COVID-19 history, quitting the job was found to be affected only by COVID-19 history, internal entrapment feeling, and education level. This study has shown that quitting the job is associated with PEoC, depression, and internal and external entrapments. The correlation between quitting jobs and other conditions differs depending on the COVID-19 history of the employee. Furthermore, quitting the job is being affected by the coronavirus history, the internal entrapment, and education level.

Simultaneous presence of Mycoplasma salivarium and Tannerella forsythia in the implant sulcus after lateral augmentation with autogenous root grafts is associated with increased sulcus probing depth.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a potential pathogenic role of Mycoplasma salivarium and bacterial co-detection patterns on different implant augmentation types. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 patients were non-randomly assigned to autogenous lateral alveolar ridge augmentation with either cortical autogenous bone blocks, or healthy autogenous tooth roots or non-preservable teeth. Mucosal inflammation was assessed by probing pocket depth (PD) at all sampling sites and by bleeding on probing (BOP) in a subset of sampling sites, and standardized biofilm samples were obtained from the submucosal peri-implant sulcus and sulcus of a contralateral tooth at two times (t1 after implant placement; t2 after six months). Seven bacterial species were quantified using Taqman PCR. RESULTS: Mucosal inflammation did not differ between augmentation groups, but peri-implant sulci showed increased abundance of M. salivarium after augmentation with autogenous tooth roots lasting for at least six months (t1 p = 0.05, t2 p = 0.011). In M. salivarium-positive samples, Tannerella forsythia was correlated with PD (R = 0.25, p = 0.035) This correlation was not observed in M. salivarium-negative samples. Compared to all other samples, PD was deeper in co-detection (i.e., simultaneous M. salivarium and T. forsythia) positive samples (p = 0.022). No association of single or co-detection of bacteria with BOP was observed. CONCLUSION: Presence of M. salivarium in peri-implant sulci varies with augmentation method and is associated with increased PD but not BOP. A potential causal role of M. salivarium in inflammation through a mechanism involving co-presence of T. forsythia requires further study.

Lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using an equine-derived collagen-containing bone block: A prospective case series.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical performance of an equine-derived collagen-containing bone block (CXBB) for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and staged implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of n = 16 patients (16 implants) had received a modified surgical protocol for lateral ridge augmentation using a size-adapted rigidly fixed CXBB and contour augmentation. After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the primary endpoint was defined as the final ridge width (RW26) sufficient to place an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at the respective sites. Secondary outcomes included the gain in ridge width (RWg) and the need for secondary grafting. Clinical outcomes (bleeding on probing-BOP, probing depth-PD, and mucosal recession-MR) were assessed at implant loading and after a median observation period of 12.3 months. RESULTS: In all patients (n = 16) investigated, RW26 allowed for a successful placement of an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at respective sites exhibiting mean RWg values of 5.09 ± 1.07 mm. A soft tissue dehiscence was noted in one patient (6.3%), and a secondary grafting was needed in two patients (12.5%) The changes in mean BOP, PD, and MR values at V9 amounted to 10.23 ± 30.11%, 0.14 ± 0.80 mm, and -0.01 ± 0.04 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CXBB may represent a feasible approach for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two-stage implant placement.

Long-term outcomes following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using a collagenated xenogeneic bone block: a monocenter, prospective single-arm clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term clinical outcomes following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using a collagenated xenogeneic bone block (CXBB) and staged implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of n = 9 patients (9 implants) were available for the analysis. Each subject had received lateral ridge augmentation using a size-adapted rigidly fixed CXBB and contour augmentation at single-tooth gaps. Implant placement was performed after 24 weeks of submerged healing. Clinical parameters (e.g., bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PD), mucosal recession (MR)) were recorded at 16 to 20 weeks after the cementation of the crown (baseline) and scheduled for 0.5 (visit 1 (V1)), 1.5 (V2), 2.5 (V3), 3.5 (V4), and 4.5 (V5) years after implant loading. RESULTS: Changes in clinical parameters commonly remained low throughout the entire observation period. Significant changes to baseline were merely noted for mean BOP scores at V4 (19.14 ± 17.75%; n = 7; P = 0.029) and mean PD scores at V2 (0.78 ± 0.98 mm; n = 9; P = 0.044) and V3 (1.33 ± 1.05 mm; n = 9; P = 0.009), respectively. CONCLUSION: CXBB was associated with high clinical implant success and survival rates on the long-term.

Short-term outcomes of lateral extraction socket augmentation using autogenous tooth roots: A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the short-term clinical outcomes of lateral augmentation of deficient extraction sockets and two-stage implant placement using autogenous tooth roots (TR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of n = 13 patients (13 implants) were available for the analysis. At the time of tooth extraction, each subject had received lateral augmentation using the respective non-retainable but non-infected tooth root where the thickness of the buccal bone was <0.5 mm or where a buccal dehiscence-type defect was present. Titanium implants were placed after a submerged healing period of 6 months and loaded after 20 ± 2 weeks (V8). Clinical parameters (e.g., bleeding on probing-BOP, probing pocket depth-PD, mucosal recession-MR, clinical attachment level-CAL) were recorded at V8 and after 26 ± 4 weeks (V9) of implant loading. RESULTS: At V9, all patients investigated revealed non-significant changes in mean BOP (-19.23 ± 35.32%), PD (0.24 ± 0.49 mm), MR (0.0 ± 0.0 mm) and CAL (0.24 ± 0.49 mm) values, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the initial gain in ridge width and changes in BOP and PD values. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical procedure was associated with stable peri-implant tissues on the short-term.

A new species of Cassida Linnaeus, 1758, from Turkey (Chrysomelidae: cassidinae).

A new species, Cassida alidagiense sp. nov., has been described from Kayseri province in Turkey. For the time being, the species is endemic to Turkey. Cassida alidagiense sp. nov., is related to Cassida linnavuorii Borowiec, 1986; Cassida brevis Weise, 1884; and Cassida bella Faldermann, 1837, from which it differs in the shape of the apex of cornu of the spermethaca, and it can be distinctively differentiated from these species based on color of under body and spermathecal characters especially. In addition, the paper presents ultrastructures observed by SEM of spermatheca of Cassida alidagiense sp. nov. from Turkey.

Autogenous tooth roots for lateral extraction socket augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of using autogenous tooth roots (TR) for a lateral augmentation of deficient extraction sockets and two-stage implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients were recruited to perform a simultaneous, lateral augmentation of deficient (i.e., thickness of the buccal bone < 0.5 mm or buccal dehiscence-type defects) fresh extraction sockets using the respective non-retainable but non-infected teeth (n = 15). After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the primary endpoint was defined as the crestal ridge width (mm) (CW26) being sufficient to place an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at the respective sites. RESULTS: The surgical procedure could be accomplished in n = 14 patients. Soft tissue healing was uneventful in all patients. CW26 at visit 6 allowed for a successful implant placement in all patients (e.g., 14/14). Mean CW26 values amounted to 10.85 ± 2.71 mm (median: 8.5). The change (4.89 ± 2.29 mm) in CW compared to baseline was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The usage of TR may represent a feasible approach for lateral augmentation of deficient extraction sockets and two-stage implant placement.

Radiographic outcomes following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using autogenous tooth roots.

BACKGROUND: To assess and compare the radiographic outcomes following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation using autogenous tooth roots (TR) and autogenous bone (AB) blocks. METHODS: In a total of 30 patients, lateral ridge augmentation was conducted in parallel groups using either (1) healthy autogenous tooth roots (e.g., retained wisdom or impacted teeth) (n = 15) or (2) cortical autogenous bone blocks harvested from the retromolar area. Cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans taken at 26 weeks of submerged healing were analyzed for the basal graft integration (i.e., contact between the graft and the host bone in %) (BI26) and the cross-sectional grafted area (mm2) (SA26). RESULTS: Both groups revealed a comparable clinical width of the alveolar ridge at baseline (CWb). Mean BI26 and SA26 values amounted to 69.26 ± 26.01% (median 72.44) and 22.07 ± 12.98 mm2 (median 18.83) in the TR group and 79.67 ± 15.66% (median 78.85) and 12.42 ± 10.11 mm2 (median 11.36) in the AB group, respectively. Between-group differences in mean SA26 values were statistically significant (p = 0.031). Linear regression analysis failed to reveal any significant correlations between BI26 and CWb/SA26 values in either group. CONCLUSIONS: TR grafts may be associated with improved SA26 values following lateral alveolar ridge augmentation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS00009586 . Registered 10 February 2016.

Barcoding of Chrysomelidae of Euro-Mediterranean area: efficiency and problematic species.

Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with more than 37,000 species worldwide and about 2,300 in the Euro-Mediterranean region, are an ecological and economical relevant family, making their molecular identification of interest also in agriculture. This study, part of the Mediterranean Chrysomelidae Barcoding project (www.c-bar.org), aims to: (i) develop a reference Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) library for the molecular identification of the Euro-Mediterranean Chrysomelidae; (ii) test the efficiency of DNA barcoding for leaf beetles identification; (iii) develop and compare optimal thresholds for distance-based identifications estimated at family and subfamily level, minimizing false positives and false negatives. Within this study, 889 COI nucleotide sequences of 261 species were provided; after the inclusion of information from other sources, a dataset of 7,237 sequences (542 species) was analysed. The average intra-interspecific distances were in the range of those recorded for Coleoptera: 1.6-24%. The estimated barcoding efficiency (~94%) confirmed the usefulness of this tool for Chrysomelidae identification. The few cases of failure were recorded for closely related species (e.g., Cryptocephalus marginellus superspecies, Cryptocephalus violaceus - Cryptocephalus duplicatus and some Altica species), even with morphologically different species sharing the same COI haplotype. Different optimal thresholds were achieved for the tested taxonomic levels, confirming that group-specific thresholds significantly improve molecular identifications.

Influence of the width of keratinized tissue on the development and resolution of experimental peri-implant mucositis lesions in humans.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the influence of the width of keratinized mucosa (KM) on the development and resolution of experimental peri-implant mucositis lesions at abutments with different microstructures in humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a randomized, controlled study, a total of 28 patients had received 28 target implants exhibiting a KM ≥2 mm. These were randomly connected with either partially microgrooved- (test) (n = 15) or machined (control) (n = 13) healing abutments. The study protocol included a wound healing period (WH) following implant placement (12 weeks), a plaque exposure phase (EP) of 21 days (EPd21) and a resolution phase (RP) including visits at 2, 4, and 16 weeks (RPw2; RPw4; RPw16) following plaque removal. Linear regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between the width of KM and clinical outcomes (i.e., modified plaque index [mPI], modified gingival index [mGI], bleeding on probing [BOP], and probing depth [PD]). RESULTS: Mean and median KM values (end of WH) were 5.9 ± 2.6 and 5.0 mm (min: 2 mm; max: 10 mm; interquartile range: 5 mm) at test- and 5.5 ± 2.6 and 4.0 mm (min: 3 mm; max: 11 mm interquartile range: 4 mm) at control abutments. The linear regression analysis revealed significant correlations between the width of KM and mPI (test: RPw2; control: RPw16), mGI (test: RPw16), BOP (both: RPw16), and PD (test: RPw16; control: EPd21, RPw2, RPw4, RPw16) scores. CONCLUSION: The width of KM (≥2 mm) had some effects on the development (i.e., at 21 days) and resolution of experimental peri-implant mucositis lesions at both abutment types.

Upper respiratory viral infections in patients with haematological malignancies after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Community respiratory viruses (CRVs) are associated with upper respiratory viral infections (URI), pneumonia or life-threatening respiratory disease in patients with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Our aim is to demonstrate our URI experience related to CRVs after allo-HSCT. METHODS: From January 2013 to November 2015, 39 post allo-HSCT patients with acute URI symptoms were included in the study. We evaluated CRVs by multiplex PCR from nasopharyngeal wash and throat swabs. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 39 (range 20-67 years). A total of 25 patients (64%) had viral panel positivity at a median 140 days post-transplant (range 3-617 days). The most common agents detected were respiratory syncytial virus (32%) and parainfluenza (32%). The patients with viral panel positivity had significantly lower lymphocyte count (1.05×109/l versus 3.09×109/l; P=0.013). During follow-up, 20 patients (80%) were diagnosed with pneumonia. Patients with concurrent bacterial or fungal infections were more likely to have pneumonia (100% versus 68%; P=0.023). 10 patients (40%) died due to pneumonia and related complications. Lower lymphocyte counts and higher C-reactive protein levels at the time of viral panel positivity were risk factors for mortality (1.5×109/l versus 0.39×109/l, P=0.007; 74.2 versus 199.7, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: The viral panel was positive in 64% of patients with acute URI symptoms. Lower lymphocyte count was detected in CRV-positive patients. The onset of concomitant bacterial or fungal infections increased the risk of lower respiratory infection disease. Indeed, prospective studies should be designed for risks and outcomes of CRVs in allo-HSCT recipients.

[Self and significant other assessment of hearing device aided communication skills in the elderly with hearing loss]. / Isitme kaybi olan yaslilarda isitme cihazi destekli iletisim becerilerinin kendileri ve yakinlari tarafindan degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the communication problems of elderly before and after using hearing aids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty hearing aid users and 10 normal hearing control subjects with their relatives were enrolled in the study. Hearing aid users were divided into three subgroups based on the duration of use. Self Assessment of Communication (SAC) and Significant Other Assessment of Communication (SOAC) questionnaires were administered to hearing aid users, control subjects, as well as to their relatives for the evaluation of communication difficulties due to hearing loss. Intra-group comparisons were carried out in the patients using hearing aids, while inter-group comparisons were performed to evaluate the effects of different aided periods on communication skills. RESULTS: It was found that the communication difficulties reduced in the patients who used hearing aid for minimum one month. For the patients with hearing loss, hearing aid use of six months or more increased SAC and SOAC scores to a level comparable with control subjects. CONCLUSION: The present study conclude that the elderly patients of 60 years of age or more with moderate sensorineural hearing loss could catch up their normal hearing peers in their communication skills within six months only if they prescribed and used proper hearing aids.