Short-Term Fluoride Release from Ion- Releasing Dental Materials.

Objective: To compare short-term release of fluoride ions from ion-releasing dental restorative materials. Material and methods: Seven experimental groups were prepared using the following six different materials: alkasite (Cention Forte), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC), bioactive composite (ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE), fluoride-containing nano-hybrid composite (Luminos UN), coat-free glass hybrid (EQUIA Forte HT), coat-applied glass hybrid (EQUIA Forte HT), and glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX). A total of 40 samples for each group (n=40) were prepared in Teflon molds (8 mm x 2 mm) and placed in polyethylene vials with 5 ml of deionized water. Fluoride release was measured after 6, 24, 48 hours, and for 5 weeks using an ion-selective electrode. The results were expressed in mg/l and the data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Significant differences in fluoride release were observed within the first 6 hours (ANOVA p<0.001). EQUIA Forte HT had the highest release, while the other materials showed no significant differences. After 24 hours, EQUIA Forte HT (p<0.001) and Luminos UN (p<0.05) exhibited significantly higher releases, compared to other tested materials. EQUIA Forte HT maintained the highest release at 48 hours (p<0.001), followed by Cention Forte (p<0.05) and Luminos UN (p<0.05). All material pairs showed significant differences in fluoride release at 5 weeks (p<0.001). Conclusion: Coat-free EQUIA Forte HT had the overall highest fluoride release, while Cention Forte demonstrated the greatest increase over time. ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE exhibited the lowest fluoride release in this study.

The Effect of a Green Smoothie on Microhardness, Profile Roughness and Color Change of Dental Restorative Materials.

Acidic drinks are known to exert negative effects on the surface properties of dental restorative materials. However, the effect of increasingly popular green smoothie drinks has not been addressed so far. The present study investigated the effect of cyclic immersions (5 min daily over 30 days) in a green smoothie drink on the surface properties of contemporary dental restorative materials, including resin composites, an alkasite, and a glass hybrid. Vickers microhardness, profile roughness, and perceptible color change in the CIE L* a* b* color space were evaluated as clinically relevant properties of the material surface. After 30-day green smoothie immersion, microhardness values either decreased by 8-28% (for resin composites) or increased by up to 91% (for glass hybrid). The increase in profile roughness (Ra parameter) of smoothie-immersed specimens was 7-26 times higher compared to the control group. The perceptible color change (ΔE*) in the smoothie group was 3-8 times higher compared to the control group. Overall, this study demonstrated that daily exposure of dental restorations made from resin composites, alkasites, and glass hybrid materials to a green smoothie drink can significantly accelerate material degradation, which is reflected as surface softening, as well as higher roughness and higher perceptible color change.

The Association between Salt Taste Perception, Mediterranean Diet and Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a widespread disorder and an important public health challenge. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between salt taste perception, Mediterranean diet and MetS. This cross-sectional study included 2798 subjects from the general population of Dalmatia, Croatia. MetS was determined using the Joint Interim Statement definition, and Mediterranean diet compliance was estimated using Mediterranean Diet Serving Score. Salt taste perception was assessed by threshold and suprathreshold testing (intensity and hedonic perception). Logistic regression was used in the analysis, adjusting for important confounding factors. As many as 44% of subjects had MetS, with elevated waist circumference as the most common component (77%). Higher salt taste sensitivity (lower threshold) was associated with several positive outcomes: lower odds of MetS (OR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.52-0.92), lower odds for elevated waist circumference (0.47; 0.27-0.82), elevated fasting glucose or diabetes (0.65; 0.45-0.94), and reduced HDL cholesterol (0.59; 0.42-0.84), compared to the higher threshold group. Subjects with lower salt taste threshold were more likely to consume more fruit, and less likely to adhere to olive oil and white meat guidelines, but without a difference in the overall Mediterranean diet compliance. Salt taste intensity perception was not associated with any of the investigated outcomes, while salty solution liking was associated with MetS (OR = 1.85, CI 95% 1.02-3.35). This study identified an association between salt taste perception and MetS and gave a new insight into taste perception, nutrition, and possible health outcomes.

Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate dietary habits, sleep and psychological well-being of adolescents and medical students during COVID-19 lockdown in Split, Croatia. METHODS: We surveyed 1326 students during 2018 and 2019, and compared their responses with 531 students enrolled in May 2020. Perceived stress, quality of life (QoL), happiness, anxiety, and optimism were assessed as proxies of psychological well-being, using general linear modelling. RESULTS: We found no substantial differences in dietary pattern between pre-lockdown and lockdown periods, including the overall Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence. However, the MD pattern changed, showing increased adherence to the MD pyramid for fruit, legumes, fish, and sweets, while cereals, nuts, and dairy intake decreased during COVID-19 lockdown. A third of students reported weight loss during lockdown, 19% reported weight gain, while physical activity remained rather stable. The most prominent change was feeling refreshed after a night's sleep, reported by 31.5% of students during lockdown vs. 8.5% before; median length of sleep duration increased by 1.5 h. Lockdown significantly affected QoL, happiness, optimism (all p < 0.001), and perceived stress in students (p = 0.005). MD adherence was positively correlated with QoL and study time, and negatively with TV and mobile phone use in pre-lockdown period (all p < 0.001). Interestingly, higher MD adherence was correlated with less perceived hardship and greater happiness and QoL during lockdown. CONCLUSION: These insights provide valuable information for tailored interventions aimed at maintaining healthy lifestyle in young population. Given the numerous beneficial effects associated with MD adherence, modification of lifestyle through application of lifestyle medicine deserves a priority approach.