Background. The aim of this study was to compare retrospectively the effect of three different treatment protocols on the healing outcome in patients with established medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Methods. A total of 34 MRONJ patients were recruited from the Department database and were divided according to the treatment protocols in a study group (G1) and two control groups (G2 and G3). G1 was treated with antibiotic therapy, surgery, leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF), and photobiomodulation; G2 was treated with antibiotic therapy and surgery; G3 was treated with antibiotic therapy and photobiomodulation. Various clinical variables and treatment protocols were analyzed to determine their correlation with the healing outcome at three and six months of follow-up. Results. There was a significant association between the different treatment protocols and the outcomes at both three and six months follow-up (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). No significant association was observed between the outcomes and MRONJ localization, MRONJ stage, duration of drug treatment, gender, diabetes, corticosteroid therapy, smoking habits, underlying disease, and history of chemotherapy at both three and six months follow-up. Conclusions. Our results show that the combination of antibiotic therapy, surgery, L-PRF, and photobiomodulation may effectively contribute to MRONJ management.

To assess the possibility of controlling patients at a distance according to principles of teleorthodontics to understand its possible usefulness in the future routine activity and the impact pandemic may have had on different types of orthodontic treatments. Material and Methods: One hundred orthodontic patients (57 F, 43 M, age 7-46) during quarantine were checked through videocalls and photos sent by patients following proper instructions. Three groups have been distinguished based on the type of therapy: A-fixed appliances; B-removable appliances; C-clear aligners. Relevant events about dental and gingival health, integrity of appliances, orthodontic therapies related symptoms and overall progress of treatments were recorded. Results: A and B groups reported higher percentages of gingival inflammation (27 and 22%), dental plaque (16 and 13%), deciduous tooth loss (8 and 16%). Bracket and attachment detachment were the most frequent events in A and C groups (22 and 23%). Pain and discomfort were reported in A and B groups (35 and 32%). Therapies continued to progress better in C (51% improved dental alignment) and B (31% improved malocclusions) groups. Conclusion: Orthodontics is safe and allows during emergencies to postpone checks. Everyday mobile-technology is useful in managing orthodontic patients unable to carry out in-person control. When their effectiveness equals other systems, treatments with clear aligners without attachments should be preferred in patients unavailable for regular checks.

No abstract

Background The identification of non-invasive biomarkers from biological fluids collected by liquid biopsy provides new horizons for individualized therapeutic strategies and improves clinical decision-making in OSCC patients. Circulating microRNAs have emerged as biomarkers that may reflect not only the existence of cancer, but also the dynamic, malignant potential, and drug resistance of tumors. The aim of the systematic review is to evaluate and summarize the results of the published studies regarding the use of microRNAs as biomarkers for OSCC. Material and Methods A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases till November 2020. A total of 34 studies met the inclusion criteria and were therefore subjected to quality assessment. Each study was subjected to data extraction including; patient characteristics, type of fluid sample (whole blood, plasma, serum, or saliva), molecular analysis method, specific dysregulated microRNA, and microRNA expression pattern. Results The analysis showed that 57 microRNAs of liquid biopsy samples of four different fluids (whole blood, serum, plasma, and saliva) were analyzed. The prognostic and therapeutic significance of these microRNAs were suggested by several studies; where 41 microRNAs were upregulated while 16 were downregulated. Conclusions Scientific evidence supports the interest in the use of microRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis in OSCC patients; however, further studies in a larger cohort of patients are mandatory to introduce liquid biopsy in the routine clinical practice for the OSCC management. Key words: Biomarkers, liquid biopsy, microRNA, oral squamous cell carcinoma, systematic review.

No abstract

A superficial skin abscess in a young black female patient was incised after cryoanesthesia with Tetrafluoroethane spray. A hypopigmented area was found at the first follow-up visit in the treated skin area; complete repigmentation occurred during the next 4 months. There are no other similar reported cases in the literature. Since long duration and possibly permanent hypopigmentation can occur after cryoanesthesia with Tetrafluoroethane, especially in black people, this technique should be used with extreme caution.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of infrared (IR) thermal camera connected to smartphones, already used in medicine for diagnostic purposes, as an easy tool for access screening to pediatric dentistry services. Material and Methods: After the preventive telephone triage, thirty orthodontic patients (7-13 years) underwent temperature measurement in the office with two no-contact IR devices: forehead digital thermometer and thermal-camera connected to a smartphone (reference areas: forehead, inner canthi, ears). Measurements were compared and differences were statistically investigated with T student's test (p<0.01). Results: Forehead digital thermometer temperatures were superimposable to those recorded in ear areas and inner canthi with the thermal camera connected to a smartphone. Differences were not statistically significant even in comparison between the sexes. Forehead temperature values detected with a thermal camera are lower than those detected with a digital forehead thermometer. Conclusion: Thermal camera on a smartphone could be reliable in measuring body temperature. Mobile thermographic values of ears and inner canthi areas can be used as an alternative to forehead digital thermometer measurements. Further applications in pediatric dentistry of thermography on smartphones should be examined.

Objectives: To determine the complications (exacerbations, pneumonia) in patients with inhaled corticosteroids (IC) replaced by long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) in dual therapy for the treatment of COPD usual clinical practice. Methods: Retrospective, observational study (before/after with control group) carried out by review of medical records. The study included patients aged $40 years who had been on treatment for $ 1 year with IC/long-acting beta agonists (LABA) in whom IC were replaced by a LAMA (index-date) during 2014-2017 (recruitment period). Study groups: a) IC/LABA (without replacement, dual therapy) and b) LABA/LAMA (replacement of IC, dual bronchodilation). Data were collected for a reference period before the index date and a follow up period of one year. Each patient in the LABA/LAMA group was matched with one in the IC/ LABA group by propensity score matching (PSM). Main measures: comorbidity, medication, IC dose, exacerbations and pneumonia. The statistical analysis was carried out using multivariate-models (p,0.05). Results: 2,366 patients were recruited, and IC were replaced by LAMA in 19.9% (N = 464). After PSM the study groups were: a) IC/LABA N = 462, and b) LABA/LAMA N = 462, the mean age was 71.8 years and 80.3% were male (Charlson index: 0.9). The mortality rate was 10.4%, severe COPD 35.5%, 13.9 received high daily IC doses, FEV1 was 54.9% and 8.5% received home oxygen therapy. By study groups, the results were similar: 22.4% showed some type of exacerbation (IC/LABA: 21.4% vs. LABA/LAMA: 23.4%; p=0.478). Severe exacerbations (IC/LABA: 5.6% vs. 6.3%, p=0.675), and total exacerbations before the study period (22.7% vs. 22.9%, p=0.938) were similar. Conclusions: Relatively few patients received replacement of IC by LAMA. Comparisons showed IC/LABA (dual therapy) and LABA/LAMA (dual bronchodilation) were associated with similar rates of exacerbation, pneumonia and use of health resources. However, further studies will be needed to reinforce the consistency of the results.