When Should a Cervical Collar be Used to Treat Neck Pain?

Neck pain is one of the most prevalent and costly health problems in the United States. It remains a complex, subjective experience with a variety of musculoskeletal causes. Although, cervical collars are a seemingly benign intervention, they can have adverse effects, especially when used for longer periods of time. It is feared that a long period of immobilization, can result in atrophy-related secondary damage. Many physicians cite anecdotal evidence of their clinical utility and soft cervical collars are often prescribed by convention for patients complaining of neck pain. The use of cervical collars to treat neck pain is an area of controversy. This review article examines the current evidence and studies related to recommending cervical collars for neck pain of a variety of etiologies

Ab initio investigation of the affinity of novel bipyrazolate-based MOFs towards H2and CO2

Two recently synthesized Zn and Cu tetramethyl-bipyrazole-based metal organic frameworks have been characterized and compared as regards their structural and electronic properties and their reactivity towards hydrogen and CO2 molecules. Ab initio calculations have been performed on periodic models with the B3LYP hybrid and an empirical long-range dispersion correction. Interactions with the probe molecules in the two structures are almost iso-energetic and in all cases the physisorption becomes reversible as the temperature increases. Topological analysis of the electron density has been used to fully characterize the chemical bonding. On the basis of our study, it can be inferred that the experimentally observed larger adsorption capacity of the Cu framework is not ascribable to the strong interaction of the guest molecules with an exposed metal ion but to the higher number of adsorption sites and to the larger void volume

Periodontitis and low cognitive performance: A population-based study

Aim: To study the epidemiological association between periodontitis and low cognitive performance among older adults, within a representative sample of the U.S. population. Materials and Methods: Data from 2086 older adults (≥60 years old), representative of 77.1 million people, were retrieved from the NHANES 2011-2014 database. Periodontitis cases were identified and classified according to the AAP/CDC criteria (mild, moderate, and severe). Cognitive function was assessed through the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD), the animal fluency test (AFT), the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), and the global cognition score. The lowest non-survey weighted quartile for each cognitive test was defined as low cognitive performance. Simple and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Moderate and severe periodontitis were significantly associated with a low DSST performance (OR = 1.66 and OR = 2.97, respectively). Each millimetre increase in mean CAL was associated with a lower AFT (OR = 1.44), DSST (OR = 1.86), and global cognition (OR = 1.50) performance. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest the existence of an independent association between periodontitis and low cognitive performance among older adults (≥60 years old)

Leisure-time and occupational physical activity demonstrate divergent associations with periodontitis: A population-based study

Aim: To evaluate the association between leisure-time/occupational physical activity (LTPA/OPA) and periodontitis in a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. Materials and Methods: Data from 10,679 adults were retrieved from NHANES 2009–2014 database. Physical activity was assessed through the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and accordingly, subjects were classified as performing either high or low LTPA/OPA. Periodontal status was assessed through a full-mouth periodontal examination, and subjects were classified according to the AAP/CDC criteria (no, mild, moderate, or severe periodontitis). Simple and multiple regression analyses were applied to study the association between LTPA/OPA and periodontitis/severe periodontitis. Results: Multiple regression analyses identified high LTPA as a protective indicator for periodontitis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.92), while high OPA was found to be a significant risk indicator (OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.04–1.30). The combination low LTPA/high OPA showed a cumulative independent association with periodontitis (OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.26–1.72). Moreover, both high LTPA (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58–0.90) and high OPA (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.09–1.53) were significantly associated with stronger estimates of severe periodontitis; the same was observed for the combination of low LTPA/high OPA (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.29–2.15). Conclusions: LTPA and OPA showed divergent associations with periodontitis

Periodontal and Orthodontic Synergy in the Management of Stage IV Periodontitis: Challenges, Indications and Limits

This retrospective study described the clinical and radiographic long-term outcomes of combined periodontal and orthodontic treatment (OT) with fixed appliances in patients with Stage IV periodontitis and pathologic tooth migration (PTM) in the anterior sextants. OT was performed in either one or both arches, using tooth-supported or skeletal anchorage, following completion of active periodontal treatment and accurate planning of tooth movement biomechanics. Twenty-nine patients were identified and retrospectively examined when presenting for a supportive periodontal care (SPC) appointment. The mean SPC duration was 8.9 years (range 5 to 12 years). All anterior-migrated teeth showed statistically significant periodontal improvement compared to baseline values and stable radiographic bone levels at the final follow-up. Residual probing depths were 2.9 ± 0.5 mm at the end of active periodontal treatment, and they remained stable at the completion of OT (2.9 ± 0.6 mm) and at the last follow-up visit (2.8 ± 0.5 mm). These findings suggest that OT is a safe and effective treatment in improving the long-term prognosis of teeth with PTM in Stage IV periodontitis provided that periodontal health has been re-established and maintained with individualized SPC sessions