Mechanical pull-out test of a new hybrid fixture-abutment connection: an in vitro study

Implant abutment connection was described among the main causes of peri-implant bone resorption. The aim of this in vitro study was to test the coupling capacity, the surface modification of a new hybrid connection and the influence of repeated connection activations caused during the main clinical and laboratory phases. A total of 40 implant-abutment screw retained systems with 10 degrees-conical and internal hexagon connection were tested. The connection was screwed, fixed to the universal test machine, removed the screw and a pull-out test was performed. Test was repeated five times in succession. Also Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to detect microscopically surface modification. Analysis of variance and Tukey tests were used for the statistical analysis. Pull-out test reveals a mean value of 131.35 +/- 16.52 Newton Centimeter (N center dot cm). For each single activation, results from first to fifth were: 113.9 +/- 13.02, 126.1 +/- 12.81, 138.11 +/- 15.15, 138.8 +/- 11.90 and 140 +/- 12.99 N center dot cm. A statistically significant difference between the measurements and an increase in the removal force was shown. The collected data supports the use of this new type of connection, resulting in a very strong interface between implant and abutment. Also, repeated activation of connection can promote a better coupling of the implant-abutment interface

Studies on the Effect of Diamine Elongation in Copper(II) Complexes with NNO Tridentate Schiff Base Ligands

The copper(II) complexes of general formula [Cu(GL2H,H)(Cl)] (A4–A6, G = NO2, H and OMe, respectively), bearing NNO tridentate Schiff base ligands (GL2H,H)− derived from the mono-condensation of 1,3-diaminopropane and G-substituted salicylaldehydes, are here reported. The elongation of the diamine with one additional carbon atom with respect to the triad derived from ethylenediamine [Cu(GL1H,H)(Cl)] (A1–A3, G = NO2, H and OMe, respectively) led to different synthetic procedures, with the difficult isolation of A6 that could be obtained only in few crystals suitable for X-ray diffractions. Operating in acidic conditions to promote the coordination of chloride and expulsion of pyridine from the complex [Cu(GL2H,H)(py)](ClO4) (G = NO2) allows for obtaining A4. On the other hand, structural rearrangement occurs when G = H, yielding the dinuclear species [Cu2(μ-saltn)(HL2H,H)](ClO4)⋅0.5MeOH (D5⋅0.5MeOH) instead of the desired A5, which can be obtained by avoiding the use of HCl and operating in the excess of LiCl. Finally, A4 and A5 were investigated as cytotoxic agents against malignant (MDA-MB-231 and 22-Rv1) and healthy (HaCaT) cell lines, and the ability of the most promising A5 to be internalized and interact with cellular targets was studied

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Italy: Predictors of Acceptance, Fence Sitting and Refusal of the COVID-19 Vaccination

Background: The hesitancy in taking the COVID-19 vaccine is a global challenge. The need to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccine reluctance is critical. Our objectives were to evaluate sociodemographic, psychological, and behavioral factors, as well as attitudes and beliefs that influence COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the general population of Italy. Methods: A total of 2,015 people were assessed in two waves (March, April and May, 2021). Participants were divided into three groups: (1) individuals who accepted the vaccination (“accepters”); (2) individuals who refused the vaccination (“rejecters”); and (3) individuals who were uncertain about their attitudes toward the vaccination (“fence sitters”). Group comparisons were performed using ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square tests. The strength of the association between the groups and the participants' characteristics was analyzed using a series of multinomial logistic regression models with bootstrap internal validation (one for each factor). Results: The “fence sitters” group, when compared to the others, included individuals of younger age, lower educational level, and worsening economic situation in the previous 3 months. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, the following features emerged as the main risk factors for being “fence sitters” (compared with vaccine “accepters”): reporting lower levels of protective behaviors, trust in institutions and informational sources, frequency of use of informational sources, agreement with restrictions and higher conspirative mentality. Higher levels of COVID-19 perceived risk, trust in institutions and informational sources, frequency of use of informational sources, agreement with restrictions and protective behaviors were associated with a higher likelihood of becoming “fence sitters” rather than vaccine “rejecters.” Conclusions: The “fence sitters” profile revealed by this study is intriguing and should be the focus of public programmes aimed at improving adherence to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Sex differences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: insights from the DiAPAson study using a data-driven approach

Purpose Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) display notable sex differences: males have an earlier onset and more severe negative symptoms, while females exhibit affective symptoms, better verbal abilities, and a more favourable prognosis. Despite extensive research, areas such as time perception and positivity remain underexplored, and machine learning has not yet been adequately utilised. This study aims to address these gaps by examining sex differences in a sample of Italian patients with SSD using a data-driven approach. Methods As part of the DiAPAson project, 619 Italian patients with SSD (198 females; 421 males) were assessed using standardised clinical tools. Data on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, symptom severity, functioning, positivity, quality of life (QoL), and time perspective were collected. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) was used to define data-driven clusters. A leave-one-group-out validation was performed. Results Males were more likely to be single (p < 0.001) and less educated (p = 0.006), while females smoked more tobacco (p = 0.011). Males were more frequently prescribed antipsychotics (p = 0.022) and exhibited more severe psychiatric (p = 0.004) and negative symptoms (p = 0.013). They also had a less negative perception of past events (p = 0.047) and a better view of their psychological condition (p = 0.004). Females showed better interpersonal functioning (p = 0.008). PCA and GMM revealed two main clusters with significant sex differences (p = 0.027). Conclusion This study identifies sex differences in SSD, suggesting tailored treatments such as enhancing interpersonal skills for females and maintaining positive self-assessment for males. Using machine learning, we highlight distinct SSD phenotypes, emphasising the need for sex-specific interventions to improve outcomes and QoL. Our findings stress the importance of a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach to address sex-based disparities in SSD. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ID ISRCTN21141466

Evaluation of technical quality and periapical health of root-filled teeth by using cone-beam CT

Objective This study aimed to assess the quality of root fillings, coronal restorations, complications of all root-filled teeth and their association with apical periodontitis (AP) detected by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from an adult Turkish subpopulation. Material and Methods The sample for this study consisted of 242 patients (aging from 15 to 72 years) with 522 endodontically treated teeth that were assessed for technical quality of the root canal filling and periapical status of the teeth. Additionally, the apical status of each root-filled tooth was assessed according to the gender, dental arch, tooth type and age classification, undetected canals, instrument fracture, root fracture, apical resorption, apical lesion, furcation lesion and type and quality of the coronal structure. Statistical analysis was performed using percentages and chi-square test. Results The success rate of the root canal treatment was of 54.4%. The success rates of adequate and inadequate root canal treatment were not significantly different (p>0.05). Apical periodontitis was found in 228 (45.6%) teeth treated for root canals. Higher prevalence of AP was found in patients aging from 20 to 29 years [64 (27%) teeth] and in anterior (canines and incisors) teeth [97 (41%) teeth]. Conclusions The technical quality of root canal filling performed by dental practitioners in a Turkish subpopulation was consistent with a high prevalence of AP. The probable reasons for this failure are multifactorial, and there may be a need for improved undergraduate education and postgraduate courses to improve the clinical skills of dental practitioners in endodontics

CIPROFLOXACIN RESISTANCE PATTERN AMONG BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED URINARY TRACT INFECTION

SUMMARY Objective: To identify the main bacterial species associated with community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) and to assess the pattern of ciprofloxacin susceptibility among bacteria isolated from urine cultures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in all the patients with community-acquired UTI seen in Santa Helena Laboratory, Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil during five years (2010-2014). All individuals who had a positive urine culture result were included in this study. Results: A total of 1,641 individuals met the inclusion criteria. Despite the fact that participants were female, we observed a higher rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin in males. The most frequent pathogens identified in urine samples were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Antimicrobial resistance has been observed mainly for ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin. Moreover, E. coli has shown the highest rate of ciprofloxacin resistance, reaching 36% of ciprofloxacin resistant strains in 2014. Conclusion: The rate of bacterial resistance to ciprofloxacin observed in the studied population is much higher than expected, prompting the need for rational use of this antibiotic, especially in infections caused by E. coli. Prevention of bacterial resistance can be performed through control measures to limit the spread of resistant microorganisms and a rational use of antimicrobial policy

Measurement and Computation of Nb3_3Sn Rutherford Cables Strength Under Multi-Axial Loading Conditions

Superconducting magnet coils are subject to large thermo-mechanical loads applied during magnet assembly, cooldown and operation. These loads can cause the reduction of their critical current due to mechanical strains or local filament failures. Measurements on longitudinally stretched strands and Rutherford cables under transverse pressure have allowed exploration of material limits in two directions. However, no systematic study of the effect of multi-axial loading conditions has been done. Finite Element (FE) models show that, indeed, the actual limits of the material are strongly dependent on the nature of the applied load and that the strength under multi-axial loading can be significantly higher with respect to uniaxial loading conditions. In this paper, we try, for the first time, to measure the effect of multi-direction loading conditions on Nb$_3$Sn Rutherford cables. The experiments are performed on impregnated cable stacks under transverse, lateral, and longitudinal constraints. The integrity of the cables is verified by destructive metallography inspection, evaluating the damage as a function of the applied loading condition