Titanium implants are widely used on an increasing number of patients in orthopedic and dental medicine. Despite the good survival rates of these implants, failures that lead to important socio-economic consequences still exist. Recently, research aimed at improving implant fixation, a process called osseointegration, has focused on a new, innovative field: systemic delivery of drugs. Following implant fixation, patients receive systemic drugs that could either impair or enhance osseointegration; these drugs include anabolic and anti-catabolic bone-acting agents in addition to new treatments. Anabolic bone-acting agents include parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptides, simvastatin, prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonist, vitamin D and strontium ranelate; anti-catabolic bone-acting agents include compounds like calcitonin, biphosphonates, RANK/RANKL/OPG system and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM). Examples of the new therapies include DKK1- and anti-sclerostin antibodies. All classes of treatments have proven to possess positive impacts such as an increase in bone mineral density and on osseointegration. In order to prevent complications from occurring after surgery, some post-operative systemic drugs are administered; these can show an impairment in the osseointegration process. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton pump inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The effects of aspirin, acetaminophen, opioids, adjuvants, anticoagulants and antibiotics in implant fixations are not fully understood, but studies are being carried out to investigate potential ramifications. It is currently accepted that systemic pharmacological agents can either enhance or impair implant osseointegration; therefore, proper drug selection is essential. This review aims to discuss the varying effects of three different classes of treatments on improving this process.

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We present the synthesis of few-layer graphenes over a novel Au/hydroxyapatite catalytic system by radio-frequency chemical vapor deposition, with acetylene and methane as the carbon sources. The synthesis time was found to influence linearly the dimensions of the graphitic layers and asymptotically their corresponding thermal decomposition temperature. The resulting multicomponent nanocomposite material formed out of graphene layers, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) supported on the surface of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, was found to have good biocompatibility and induce excellent bone cellular proliferation. Such multicomponent composites could find numerous applications in the area of bone regeneration given the excellent biocompatibility, 3D structure, and unique composition.

In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic, the medical system has been subjected to many changes. Face-to-face treatments have been suspended for a period of time. After the lockdown, dentists have to be aware of the modalities to protect themselves and their patients in order not to get infected. Dental practitioners are potentially exposed to a high degree of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 while performing dental procedures that produce aerosols. It should also be noted that the airways, namely the oral cavity and nostrils, are the access pathways for SARS-CoV-2. In order to protect themselves and their patients, they have to use full personal protective equipment. Relevant data regarding this pandemic are under evaluation and are still under test. In this article, we made a synthesis about the way in which SARS-CoV-2 spreads, how to diagnose a novel corona virus infection, what the possible treatments are, and which protective personal equipment we can use to stop its spreading.

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to identify and validate ultrasound criteria for parotid tumors evaluation, as well as to elaborate a multimodal, multi-criteria and integrative ultrasound approach for allowing tumor discrimination in a noninvasive manner. Material and method: Twenty patients with solid parotid tumors (12 benign, 8 malignant) were examined by ultrasound: real-time "grey scale" ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, elastography, harmonic ultrasound imaging with i.v. contrast (CEUS). The study focused on tumor morphology and circulation. The analysis of the results was observational, enhanced by statistical methods and artificial intelligence (decision trees). Results: All malignant tumors showed increased hypoechogenicity, tumoral cervical adenopathies, increased stiffness and "in block" mobility with the parotid gland upon palpation with the transducer, uneven distribution of the contrast material during the arterial phase (8/8). To varying degrees, they showed imprecise delineation (7/8), structural heterogeneity (6/8) and disorganized flow pattern (6/8). All cases of benign tumors showed heterogeneous echostructure, clear delineation and no capsule (12). They also showed moderate hypoechogenicity (9/12), no cervical lymph nodes (11/12) and variable rigidity (increased 6/12; low 3/12). A selection and ranking of relevant ultrasound parameters was also made. Some of them were included in a transparent and easy-to-use decision tree model with 100% data accuracy. Conclusions: The characterization and discrimination of solid parotid tumors require a multimodal and multicriteria approach. Ultrasound criteria can be divided into criteria of certainty and criteria of diagnosis probability. CEUS examination of parotid tumors did not reveal significant differences between benign and malignant circulatory bed. Decision trees discovered by artificial intelligence from the data may represent intelligent diagnosis support systems with very high accuracy, up to 100%.