EFFICACY OF NOVEL BIOACTIVE GLASS IN THE TREATMENT OF ENAMEL WHITE SPOT LESIONS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL✰

OBJECTIVES

to evaluate the efficacy of 2 types of bioactive glass (45S5) compared to casein-phosphopeptide stabilized-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) in the treatment of orthodontically-induced white spot lesions (WSLs).

METHODS

Sixty post-orthodontic WSLs (ICDAS II score 2) were randomly allocated to a double blind randomized controlled trial with 3 parallel arms (n = 20). Test group I (Bio-BAG) received BiominF slurry and toothpaste, and test group II (N-BAG) received Novamin slurry and toothpaste. While the positive control group (CPP-ACP) received Recaldent paste. Products were applied daily in-office during week 1, and boosted by self-administered home application for 4 weeks (week 1-4). Standard oral hygiene care was performed by all participants twice daily during months 2-6. All patients were assessed for change in WSL dimensions using computer assisted analysis based on standardized digital intraoral photographs in addition to laser fluorescence DIAGNOdent assessment before treatment (T0) and at 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2), 3 months (T3,) and 6 months (T4) follow up periods.

RESULTS

Kruskal Wallis test was used (P < .05 for all). At T4, a statistically significant (P < .001) regression of WSL was disclosed in all 3 groups compared to baseline, and a highly significant lesion size percent reduction in Bio-BAG group compared to the control group (P < .001). The mean area of the lesions decreased by 64.8%, 32.2%, and 31.6% for groups I, II and III respectively (P = .001). DIAGNOdent findings largely reflected the clinical scores (Mean scores at baseline/T4 for groups I, II, and III respectively; 16.57/3.62, 16.93/7.90, 21.95/19.27). No adverse effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined in-office and home-application of BiominF paste for 4 weeks resulted in greater esthetic improvements of post-orthodontic WSLs compared to Novamin and CPP-ACP. In addition, BiominF showed a significant reduction in fluorescence intensity which indicates potential lesion remineralization.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Post-orthodontic WSLs can be diminished using bioactive glass remineralization therapy.

COVID-19, economic problems, and family relationships in eight Middle East and North African countries

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to assess the reported family relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic and the association between these relationships and individual, interpersonal, and country-level income in eight Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 causes fear of infection, loss of loved ones, and economic problems that may affect family relationships.

METHODS

Data were collected from eight MENA countries using an online survey (July-August 2020). The dependent variable was change in family relationship during COVID-19, and the independent variables were individual, interpersonal, and country-level factors represented by sociodemographic factors, COVID-19 status, financial impact (whether participants lost or had reduced wages) and country income. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

There were 1854 responses, mean (SD) age of 30.6 (9.9) years, 65.8% were female, 3.4% tested COVID-19 positive, and 20.8% reported lost/reduced wages. Family relationships were more likely to improve or remain unchanged (84.3%) for participants who had a history of COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.25, 10.01]). However, family relationships were more likely to not improve for those who knew someone who died of COVID-19 (AOR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.58, 0.99]) and those with lost/reduced wages (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.52, 0.94]).

CONCLUSION

Family relationship improved or remained unchanged for those who tested positive for COVID-19 and did not improve for those who lost wages or lost someone due to COVID-19.

IMPLICATIONS

Policy makers should develop strategies to provide social and financial support to employees to reduce the losses and adverse social impact caused by the pandemic.

Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior and Food Insecurity by HIV Status in Nigeria

The aim of the study was to assess if there were significant differences in the adoption of COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors and experience of food insecurity by people living with and without HIV in Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that recruited a convenience sample of 4471 (20.5% HIV positive) adults in Nigeria. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to test the associations between the explanatory variable (HIV positive and non-positive status) and the outcome variables-COVID-19 related behavior changes (physical distancing, isolation/quarantine, working remotely) and food insecurity (hungry but did not eat, cut the size of meals/skip meals) controlling for age, sex at birth, COVID-19 status, and medical status of respondents. Significantly fewer people living with HIV (PLWH) reported a positive COVID-19 test result; and had lower odds of practicing COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors. In comparison with those living without HIV, PLWH had higher odds of cutting meal sizes as a food security measure (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI 2.60-3.88) and lower odds of being hungry and not eating (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.20-0.30). In conclusion, associations between HIV status, COVID-19 preventive behaviors and food security are highly complex and warrant further in-depth to unravel the incongruities identified.

Correction to: An ecological study on the association between universal health service coverage index, health expenditures, and early childhood caries

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

An ecological study on the association between universal health service coverage index, health expenditures, and early childhood caries

Background

Universal health care (UHC) may assist families whose children are most prone to early childhood caries (ECC) in accessing dental treatment and prevention. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between UHC, health expenditure and the global prevalence of ECC.

Methods

Health expenditure as percentage of gross domestic product, UHC service coverage index, and the percentage of 3–5-year-old children with ECC were compared among countries with various income levels using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Three linear regression models were developed, and each was adjusted for the country income level with the prevalence of ECC in 3–5-year-old children being the dependent variable. In model 1, UHC service coverage index was the independent variable whereas in model 2, the independent variable was the health expenditure as percentage of GDP. Model 3 included both independent variables together. Regression coefficients (B), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), P values, and partial eta squared (ƞ²) as measure of effect size were calculated.

Results

Linear regression including both independent factors revealed that health expenditure as percentage of GDP (P < 0.0001) was significantly associated with the percentage of ECC in 3–5-year-old children while UHC service coverage index was not significantly associated with the prevalence of ECC (P = 0.05). Every 1% increase in GDP allocated to health expenditure was associated with a 3.7% lower percentage of children with ECC (B = − 3.71, 95% CI: − 5.51, − 1.91). UHC service coverage index was not associated with the percentage of children with ECC (B = 0.61, 95% CI: − 0.01, 1.23). The impact of health expenditure on the prevalence of ECC was stronger than that of UHC coverage on the prevalence of ECC (ƞ² = 0.18 vs. 0.05).

Conclusions

Higher expenditure on health care may be associated with lower prevalence of ECC and may be a more viable approach to reducing early childhood oral health disparities than UHC alone. The findings suggest that currently, UHC is weakly associated with lower global prevalence of ECC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01500-8.

Perceived Preparedness of Dental Academic Institutions to Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Survey

Dental academic institutions are affected by COVID-19. We assessed the perceived COVID-19 preparedness of these institutions and the characteristics of institutions with greater perceived preparedness. An international cross-sectional survey of dental academics was conducted from March to August 2020 to assess academics’ and institutional attributes, perceived preparedness, and availability of infection prevention and control (IPC) equipment. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified perceived preparedness components. Multilevel linear regression analysis assessed the association between perceived preparedness and fixed effect factors (academics’ and institutions’ attributes) with countries as random effect variable. Of the 1820 dental academics from 28 countries, 78.4% worked in public institutions and 75.2% reported temporary closure. PCA showed five components: clinic apparel, measures before and after patient care, institutional policies, and availability of IPC equipment. Significantly less perceived preparedness was reported in lower-middle income (LMICs) (B = −1.31, p = 0.006) and upper-middle income (UMICs) (B = −0.98, p = 0.02) countries than in high-income countries (HICs), in teaching only (B = −0.55, p < 0.0001) and in research only (B = −1.22, p = 0.003) than teaching and research institutions and in institutions receiving ≤100 patients daily than those receiving >100 patients (B = −0.38, p < 0.0001). More perceived preparedness was reported by academics with administrative roles (B = 0.59, p < 0.0001). Academics from low-income countries (LICs) and LMICs reported less availability of clinic apparel, IPC equipment, measures before patient care, and institutional policies but more measures during patient care. There was greater perceived preparedness in HICs and institutions with greater involvement in teaching, research, and patient care.

Knowledge of dental academics about the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-country online survey

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is a global pandemic affecting all aspects of life in all countries. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge and associated factors among dental academics in 26 countries.

METHODS

We invited dental academics to participate in a cross-sectional, multi-country, online survey from March to April 2020. The survey collected data on knowledge of COVID-19 regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, protection, and dental treatment precautions as well as participants' background variables. Multilevel linear models were used to assess the association between dental academics' knowledge of COVID-19 and individual level (personal and professional) and country-level (number of COVID-19 cases/ million population) factors accounting for random variation among countries.

RESULTS

Two thousand forty-five academics participated in the survey (response rate 14.3%, with 54.7% female and 67% younger than 46 years of age). The mean (SD) knowledge percent score was 73.2 (11.2) %, and the score of knowledge of symptoms was significantly lower than the score of knowledge of diagnostic methods (53.1 and 85.4%, P <  0.0001). Knowledge score was significantly higher among those living with a partner/spouse than among those living alone (regression coefficient (B) = 0.48); higher among those with PhD degrees than among those with Bachelor of Dental Science degrees (B = 0.48); higher among those seeing 21 to 30 patients daily than among those seeing no patients (B = 0.65); and higher among those from countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases/million population (B = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental academics had poorer knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms than of COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Living arrangements, academic degrees, patient load, and magnitude of the epidemic in the country were associated with COVD-19 knowledge among dental academics. Training of dental academics on COVID-19 can be designed using these findings to recruit those with the greatest need.

Behavior change due to COVID-19 among dental academics-The theory of planned behavior: Stresses, worries, training, and pandemic severity

OBJECTIVE

COVID-19 pandemic led to major life changes. We assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on dental academics globally and on changes in their behaviors.

METHODS

We invited dental academics to complete a cross-sectional, online survey from March to May 2020. The survey was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The survey collected data on participants' stress levels (using the Impact of Event Scale), attitude (fears, and worries because of COVID-19 extracted by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), perceived control (resulting from training on public health emergencies), norms (country-level COVID-19 fatality rate), and personal and professional backgrounds. We used multilevel regression models to assess the association between the study outcome variables (frequent handwashing and avoidance of crowded places) and explanatory variables (stress, attitude, perceived control and norms).

RESULTS

1862 academics from 28 countries participated in the survey (response rate = 11.3%). Of those, 53.4% were female, 32.9% were <46 years old and 9.9% had severe stress. PCA extracted three main factors: fear of infection, worries because of professional responsibilities, and worries because of restricted mobility. These factors had significant dose-dependent association with stress and were significantly associated with more frequent handwashing by dental academics (B = 0.56, 0.33, and 0.34) and avoiding crowded places (B = 0.55, 0.30, and 0.28). Low country fatality rates were significantly associated with more handwashing (B = -2.82) and avoiding crowded places (B = -6.61). Training on public health emergencies was not significantly associated with behavior change (B = -0.01 and -0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 had a considerable psychological impact on dental academics. There was a direct, dose-dependent association between change in behaviors and worries but no association between these changes and training on public health emergencies. More change in behaviors was associated with lower country COVID-19 fatality rates. Fears and stresses were associated with greater adoption of preventive measures against the pandemic.

Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty in multilevel robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea

The surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients who are non-compliant with continuous positive airway pressure therapy still represents a valid alternative. In recent years, the multilevel approach is becoming more diffuse in routine surgical practice, especially since the introduction of transoral robotic surgery. Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty in multilevel robotic surgery for OSA may represent a valid option to surgically approach the soft palate. Herein, we describe the technique and preliminary results of our experience.

Effect of pregnancy-lactation overlap on the current pregnancy outcome in women with substandard nutrition: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy during lactation is common in Egypt and is often unplanned. Overlap between pregnancy and lactation could be associated with an increased risk for the pregnant mother, her fetus as well as her nursing child.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current study aims to compare the maternal and perinatal outcome of pregnancies occurred during lactation with those occurred after weaning in women with substandard nutrition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective-cohort study was carried out in six Maternal and Child Health Centers in Assiut-Egypt. Estimated sample size was 540 women divided equally into two groups; the first included women who got pregnant during breastfeeding (PDBF), while the second included women who got pregnant after weaning (PAW). Tools were consisted of structured interview questionnaire including personal history, obstetrical data, breastfeeding, family planning histories and dietary intake during pregnancy. Pregnant women had been followed up to delivery to assess different maternal and fetal outcomes.

RESULTS

Miscarriage rate was not statistically significant between both groups (2.2% in PDBF and 0.4% in PAW, p = 0.284). Women in PDBF group had higher prevalence of maternal anemia (54.1% versus 30.7%), intrauterine growth restriction (16.7% versus 4.8%), cesarean delivery (43.7% versus 31.5%), prolonged labor (13.3% versus 11.1%) and low birth weight infants (15.7% versus 8.8%) compared to women in PAW group.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy during breastfeeding is associated with an increase in the overall complications of pregnancy as compared to PAW. Although it does not increase the miscarriage rate, it increases the prevalence of maternal anemia, delayed fetal growth, prolonged labor, cesarean section delivery and the prevalence of low birth weight infants.

Detection and quantitation of ischemic left ventricular dysfunction using a new video intensity technique for regional wall motion evaluation

Eighty patients with ischemic heart disease and 17 normal subjects were evaluated for left ventricular regional wall motion by means of a new method. The wall motion analysis is based on video intensity. This technique uses a temporally sliding analysis to evaluate the cardiac cycle in 100 msec intervals. Presence of coronary artery disease was defined as more than 50% measured diameter stenosis. Wall motion abnormalities in regions perfused by stenotic vessels were most common in early diastole (76%). Sensitivity of this method at rest in patients with coronary artery disease was 79.7% (p less than 0.0001) and overall accuracy was 84.2% (p less than 0.0001). Abnormalities in both systole and diastole were more common in regions perfused by severe lesions (greater than 75%) than in those perfused by moderately stenotic (less than 75%) vessels (p less than 0.05). A comparison of the new method with phase and amplitude analysis was performed in 15 patients and with two-frame analysis in 40 patients. This new method yielded a higher sensitivity than either of the other two methods.

Instantaneous transmitral flow using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography: comparison with radionuclide ventriculography

To improve the accuracy of Doppler echocardiographic indices of left ventricular filling, we derived two indices of instantaneous transmitral flow with the use of Doppler velocities and M-mode echocardiography. These indices were calculated from the product of pulsed Doppler mitral velocities and either the excursion of the anterior mitral leaflet or the separation of both mitral leaflets as measures of the changing mitral orifice area. The derived flow indices and the mitral velocities alone were compared to left ventricular filling as determined by radionuclide ventriculography in 24 patients. When compared as areas under the matched decile divisions of the derived filling sequences by linear regression analysis, the relationship for combined Doppler and M-mode versus radionuclide left ventricular filling was closer to the line of identity (slope = 0.98 and 0.94 using the anterior mitral leaflet and both mitral leaflets, respectively, both p = NS versus the line of identity) than was the relationship for mitral velocities alone versus radionuclide left ventricular filling (slope = 0.74, p less than 0.05 versus the line of identity). The instantaneous mitral volume flow indices more closely resemble the time course and shape of radionuclide left ventricular filling curves than do mitral velocities alone, and the application of these indices should assist the quantitative description by Doppler echocardiography of left ventricular filling.

Calculating cardiac output from transmitral volume flow using Doppler and M-mode echocardiography

To simplify transmitral volume flow determination by Doppler echocardiography, a formula for calculating mean mitral valve orifice area using M-mode echocardiography without any 2-dimensional measurements was developed and evaluated in this study. The maximal mitral orifice area was assumed to be circular and its diameter was calculated from the maximal M-mode mitral leaflet separation. The maximal area was multiplied by the mean to maximal anterior mitral leaflet excursion ratio to correct for phasic changes in flow orifice area during ventricular filling. This measurement had a high correlation (r = 0.97, standard error of the estimate + 0.26 cm2) with mean mitral valve orifice area calculated from frame-by-frame analysis of short-axis 2-dimensional echoes in a select group of 10 normal volunteers and 10 patients with cardiomyopathy who had very high quality images of the mitral valve leaflet tips. Cardiac output calculated using the new method for orifice area estimation combined with apex view mitral valve Doppler velocities was then validated in 48 consecutive patients undergoing thermodilution cardiac output determinations with a close correlation between Doppler and thermodilution cardiac output (2.3 to 6.1 liter/min, r = 0.93, standard error of the estimate = 362 ml). The correlation improved when 12 patients with mild mitral insufficiency were excluded (r = 0.95). The M-mode echocardiogram-derived mitral valve orifice method combined with Doppler mitral valve velocities is accurate, easy to perform, has a high success rate and should increase the applicability of Doppler echocardiography for estimation of cardiac output.