An Eventual Sars-CoV-2 Infection Prevention Protocol in the Medical Setting and Dental Office

Prescription of Rifampicin for Staphylococcus aureus Infections Increased the Incidence of Corynebacterium striatum with Decreased Susceptibility to Rifampicin in a Hungarian Clinical Center

Several reports have suggested a role for Corynebacterium striatum as an opportunistic pathogen. The authors have conducted a retrospective study at the Clinical Center of the University of Szeged, Hungary, between 2012 and 2021 that revealed significantly increased rifampicin resistance in this species. This work aimed to investigate the reasons behind this phenomenon. The data were collected corresponding to the period between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2021 at the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Szeged. To characterize the resistance trends, the antibiotic resistance index was calculated for each antibiotic in use. Fourteen strains with different resistance patterns were further analyzed with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy using the IR Biotyper^®. The decline in C. striatum sensitivity to rifampicin seen during the COVID-19 pandemic may have been attributable to the use of Rifadin^® to treat concomitant Staphylococcus aureus infections. The fact that the IR Biotyper^® typing method revealed that the rifampicin-resistant C. striatum strains were closely related supports this hypothesis. The IR Biotyper^® infrared spectroscopy proved to be a modern and fast method to support effective antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Teledentistry: Evaluation of Instagram posts related to bruxism

BACKGROUND

Instagram statistic has attracted roughly one billion, monthly active users. In 2021, Instagram belonged to the most popular social networks worldwide. It has been considered an effective tool that contributes to the contemporary sharing of information for raising public awareness while providing educational information. The growing presence of Instagram and frequent user engagement has made it a potentially effective platform for patient communication, seeking educational information, product information for consumers, and advertisements in the form of images and videos.

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the contents of Instagram posts by healthcare professionals (HP) and non-professional healthcare workers (NPHW) on bruxism and to assess public engagement with this content.

METHODS

Twelve "hashtag" terms linked to bruxism were searched. HP and NPHW analyzed the content of relevant posts for the presence of domains. Discourse analysis assessed the post quality for themes. We conducted the descriptive and univariate statistical analysis, whereas inter-rater reliability was tested using Cohen's kappa.

RESULTS

A total of 1184 posts were retrieved, with the majority uploaded by NPHW (622 posts). The posts by HPs were in text and image(s) format (53%) with the range of 25-1100 Instagram post "Likes." "Mouthguard" (90) % was the most frequently included domain posted by HP, followed by "treatment plan/pain management", and complaints of clicking or locking of TMJ" (84%). Greater number of domains (p= 0.03) were seen in the posts by NPHWs, compared to HP's having more bruxism-related content. The inter-rater reliability method (0.89) was used for the presence of domains.

CONCLUSION

NPHW uses Instagram more frequently to post bruxism-related information than HP. HPs must ascertain that the content posted by NPHW is relevant and the concerns addressed in posts are to the purpose.

Effect of preemptive photobiomodulation associated with nimesulide on the postsurgical outcomes, oxidative stress, and quality of life after third molar surgery: a randomized, split-mouth, controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare the effect of photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and nimesulide on inflammatory parameters, biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and quality of life after lower third molar (L3M) surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized, two-factor, triple-blind, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial was performed with 40 volunteers who required bilateral L3M removal. Patients were allocated depending on the use or not of 100 mg nimesulide 1 hbefore surgery, as well as the use or not of LLLT in the preoperative period.

RESULTS

Pain peaks occurred after 6 h (nimesulide-placebo [N-P] group) and 8 h (nimesulide group). In the N-P group, LLLT resulted in significantly lower mean pain scores than the subgroup without LLLT after 4 h (p = 0.009) and 6 h (p = 0.048). As for edema, a shorter distance between the mandibular angle and the outer canthus of the eyes after 7 days (p = 0.037) and a smaller cumulative effect (p = 0.036) were observed in the N-P group associated with LLLT. A direct effect between LLLT (p = 0.047) and a reduction in the mean scores of overall dissatisfaction with quality of life was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Preemptive use of nimesulide only delayed peak pain. LLLT reduced edema, trismus, and contributed to a better perception of quality of life. Nimesulide inhibits peroxidation by increasing GSH and stopping neutrophil migration. The benefit of the association of both strategies was not superior to the use of LLLT alone.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Translational study with impact on clinical-surgical protocols involving L3M surgery related to pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.

Coughing Intensity and Wind Direction Effects on the Transmission of Respiratory Droplets: A Computation with Euler–Lagrange Method

Studies on droplet transmission are needed to understand the infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. This research investigated the effects of coughing intensity and wind direction on respiratory droplets transportation using the Euler–Lagrange method. The results revealed that both coughing intensity and wind conditions considerably influence the transmission of small and medium droplets but had little effect on large droplets. A stronger coughing intensity resulted in small and medium droplets traveling farther in a calm wind and spreading widely and rapidly in a windy environment. The droplets do not travel far in the absence of ambient wind, even with stronger coughing. Medium droplets spread in clusters, and small droplets drifted out of the domain in the band area in different wind conditions except for 60° and 90° wind directions, in which cases, the droplets were blown directly downstream. In 0° wind direction, many droplets were deposited on the human body. The fast and upward movement of particles in 60° and 90° directions could cause infection risk with short exposure. In 180° wind direction, droplets spread widely and traveled slowly because of the reverse flow downstream, prolonged exposure can result in a high risk of infection.

Wireless Networking-Driven Healthcare Approaches in Combating COVID-19

Since its outbreak, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused havoc on people's lives. All activities were paused due to the virus's spread across the continents. Researchers have been working hard to find new medication treatments for the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that safety and self-measures play a major role in preventing the virus from spreading from one person to another. Wireless technology is playing a critical role in avoiding viral propagation. This technology mainly comprises of portable devices that assist self-isolated patients in adhering to safe precautionary measures. Government officials are currently using wireless technologies to identify infected people at large gatherings. In this research, we gave an overview of wireless technologies that assisted the general public and healthcare professionals in maintaining effective healthcare services during COVID-19. We also discussed the possible challenges faced by them for effective implementation in day-to-day life. In conclusion, wireless technologies are one of the best techniques in today's age to effectively combat the pandemic.

The Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Cytokine Storm due to COVID-19

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has seriously affected public health and social stability. The main route of the transmission is droplet transmission, where the oral cavity is the most important entry point to the body. Due to both the direct harmful effects of SARS-CoV-2 and disordered immune responses, some COVID-19 patients may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome or even multiple organ failure. Genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been emerging and circulating around the world. Currently, there is no internationally approved precise treatment for COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can traffic and migrate towards the affected tissue, regulate both the innate and acquired immune systems, and participate in the process of healing. Here, we will discuss and investigate the mechanisms of immune disorder in COVID-19 and the therapeutic activity of MSCs, in particular human gingiva mesenchymal stem cells.

Air particulate concentration during orthodontic procedures: a pilot study

Background

This study evaluates the particle dispersion involved in dental procedures carried out during orthodontic treatments. Variants such as temperature and relative humidity in the dental cabinet were considered.

Methods

Using a particle counter, a pilot study was conducted, in which 98 consecutive recordings were made during appointments of patients undergoing orthodontic treatments. Temperature, relative humidity and particles present at the beginning (AR) and during the appointment (BR) were recorded. A control record (CR) of temperature, relative humidity and particles present was made before the start of the clinical activity. In addition to conventional statistics, differential descriptive procedures were used to analyse results, and the influence of relative humidity on particle concentration was analysed by statistical modelling with regression equations.

Results

The number of particles present, regardless of their size, was much higher in AR than in CR (p < .001). The same was true for relative humidity and ambient temperature. The relationship between relative humidity and particle number was determined to be exponential.

Limitations of the study

The limitations are associated with sample size, environmental conditions of the room and lack of discrimination among the procedures performed.

Conclusions

This pilot study shows that from the moment a patient enters a dental office, a large number of additional particles are generated. During treatment, the number of particles of 0.3 microns—which have a high capacity to penetrate the respiratory tract-increases. Moreover, a relationship between relative humidity and particle formation is observed. Further studies are needed.

Protective Measures against COVID-19: Dental Practice and Infection Control

The onset of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged the worldwide healthcare sector, including dentistry. The highly infectious nature of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus and risk of transmission through aerosol generating procedures has profoundly impacted the delivery of dental care services globally. As dental practices with renewed infection control strategies and preventive measures are re-opening in the "new normal" period, it is the responsibility of healthcare professionals to constantly analyze new data and limit the spread of COVID-19 in dental care settings. In the light of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 rapidly emerging in different geographic locations, there is an urgent need to comply more than ever with the rigorous public health measures to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. The aim of this article is to provide dental clinicians with essential information regarding the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus and protective measures against COVID-19 transmission in dental facilities. We complied and provided guidance and standard protocols recommended by credible national and international organizations. This review will serve as an aid to navigating through this unprecedented time with ease. Here we reviewed the available literature recommended for the best current practices that must be taken for a dental office to function safely and successfully.