Early detection and treatment of malnutrition in patients on hemodialysis (HD) is hampered by lack of a sensitive biochemical marker. We compared the value of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) with other biochemical indices in detecting malnutrition in 61 HD patients. Protein and energy intakes were low in the majority of patients. Of all patients, 59.6% had severe reduction in triceps skinfold thickness (TSF thickness, less than or equal to 60% of normal), whereas midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) was mildly reduced (less than or equal to 90%) in 23%. Serum IGF-I proved superior to the other indices in predicting TSF thickness. A serum IGF-I concentration of 300 micrograms/L discriminated between wasted (TSF thickness less than or equal to 60%) and robust patients. In 16 patients with a history of recent infection, IGF-I was significantly reduced well before changes in anthropometric measurements could be detected. IGF-I is a useful and early marker of undernutrition in HD patients.

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Purpose:To evaluate the relationship between different dimensional parameters in implant-supported monolithic zirconia fixed complete dental prostheses (IFCDPs) and the incidence of framework fracture in a large sample of cases in vivo. Materials and Methods:This retrospective observational study evaluated all patients rehabilitated with screw-retained zirconia IFCDPs between January 2013 and April 2019 at a private practice. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year after occlusal loading. Fractures were classified as: type I-fractures that happened between but not involving the two most posterior screw-access openings (SAOs) and type IIfractures of the distal cantilever. Cantilever length, distal connector cross-sectional area, and screw access opening length were measured using data obtained from digital scans. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between types I and II fractures and the independent variables (dimensional parameters). Using the receiver operating characteristic curves, two parameters were identified to be useful for establishing a cut-off and predicting type II fractures. Results: A total of 180 prostheses delivered to 140 patients were analyzed. Five implants failed in three patients: three before delivery of the definitive prostheses and two after. Ten prostheses failed (5.6% prosthetic failure rate): 2 because of implant failures, and 8 because of framework fractures. Five fractures were classified as type I and three as type II. Significant associations were found between cantilever length and type I fractures (Wald = 5.772, df = 1, p = 0.016), distal connector cross-sectional area and type II fractures (Wald = 3.806, df = 1, p = 0.051), and cantilever length and the total number of fractures (Wald = 6.117, df = 1, p = 0.013). Conclusion: Zirconia IFCDPs may be reliable medium-term solutions if some dimensional parameters are followed. The ratios between the cantilever length and cross-sectional connector area should be <0.51, while the ratio between the cantilever length and screw access opening length should be <1.48.

The association between oral lichen planus (OLP) and hypothyroidism has been debated with conflicting results: some authors detected a statistically significant association between these two, while others did not confirm it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the thyroid status in patients with newly diagnosed OLP to test the null hypothesis that thyroid disease is not associated with an increased incidence of oral lesions, with a prospective case-control approach. A total of 549 patients have been evaluated, of whom 355 were female. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained. Patients suffering from thyroid diseases were associated with an almost 3-fold increased odds of having OLP (OR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.65–4.94), after adjusting this analysis for age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension and hepatitis C infection. It would be appropriate to further investigate the possible concomitance of OLP among patients with thyroid disorder; endocrinologists should be aware of this association, especially because OLP is considered a potentially malignant oral disorder.

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Bioactivity and biocompatibility of MTA were confirmed in human models. Biodentine proved to be biocompatible, but it seems not to induce cementum regeneration.

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