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This study aimed to determine if: 1) C-reactive protein (CRP) level correlated with PTSD symptom severity as measured by PTSD Checklist-5 (PCL-5), and 2) ketone supplement reduced PTSD symptoms. Twenty participants with PTSD were randomly assigned to a ketone supplementation or placebo group and evaluated for 6-weeks for PTSD symptom severity and CRP levels. The Spearman Rank correlation between PCL-5 and CRP was positive, but not statistically significant. Mixed models on the ranks of the data were used to examine the difference in PCL-5 and CRP between ketone and control groups over time. Median PCL-5 at the pre-test was higher than at the post-test in the ketone group but not in the control. The reduction of PCL-5 medians between ketone and control groups at the post-test was not different. The median pre-test CRP was not different from than post-test in the ketone group or control group. This pilot study did not find a correlation between CRP levels and PTSD symptom severity but was limited by a lack of CRP data collection due to the loss of follow-up. PTSD symptom severity was not altered by 6 weeks of chronic ketone salt supplementation compared to the control group but should be examined in a larger sample size for further verification.

"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition associated with high levels of stress often linked to elevated resting blood pressure (BP). Beta-hydroxybutyrate, a fuel source and signaling molecule, has been shown to improve metabolic and neurological conditions, as well as decrease systolic BP in healthy populations. The purpose of this study was to determine if longterm beta-hydroxybutyrate administration via ketone salt (KS) supplementation alters BP, complete blood count (CBC), or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) results in adults diagnosed with PTSD. Sixteen adults (ages 21-65; 12 women/4 men) with PTSD completed this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study by taking KS or a placebo supplement for 6 weeks. Blood was collected (for CMP and CBC assessment) and BP measurements were taken before and after the intervention period. None of the variables changed significantly based on the condition (p > .05 for all interaction effects). The reduction in BP measures following the KS supplementation, though non-significant, may be clinically meaningful in PTSD populations and others subject to increased cardiovascular mortality risk. Chronic KS supplementation did not negatively impact BP, CBC, or CMP measures in adults with PTSD. Further investigation of KS as a hypertension treatment approach is warranted in this population."

There can be no reasonable doubt that smoking is now a major public health problem in Malta. The trends of smoking patterns among the Maltese are alarming. Much to the detriment of the health of the Maltese, there has been a steadily rising trend in smoking habits. This is especially evident among school-children, young adults and women in general. It can safely be said that among these groups, smoking has now reached epidemic proportions. A recent survey among the Maltese population revealed that in the age-group 25 to 29 years, 60% of males and 45.7% of females smoked regularly. This trend is even more worrying when one considers Maltese school-children. In the age-group 14 to 16 years, 29.3% of boys and 14.9% of girls were self- declared smokers. In the majority of these, the age of starting smoking was 13 years, while boys tended to start smoking even earlier. This rapidly increasing addiction to tobacco in Malta is also mirrored by the rate of consumption of cigarettes. Over the years 1980-1982, there was a 15.5% rise in sales of cigarettes and in fact consumption in 1982 stood at a staggering 4.02kg per head. Moreover, unless curbed, these trends will continue to rise as tobacco is more insidiously addictive than heroin. At a population level, the consequences and the burdens that the Maltese health system will have to shoulder in the future will be massive and disastrous. ; N/A

"This article is analysing the legal perspective on whistleblowing, at European and national level, focusing on the scientific studies' results and theories, emphasizing nuances which worth discussing in order to a better understanding of the social phenomenon and of individual psychological decision process for reporting a wrongdoing or the suspicion of a possible breach. We are also arguing that current whistleblower regulations must take into account both the European directive and recent research in this field, pointing out some question which are raising from the lack of the ethical and cultural focused research of Romanian society perspective on whistleblowing, considering also the recent past experiences of Romanians with 'political police' actions in years of communism. We are establishing a few research direction which we conclude that could bring the knowledge to drawing a more relevant and applicable whistleblowing law. Keywords: whistleblower, EU directive, Romanian law, whistleblower protection, normative conduct theories. "

"Due to the the multitude of composite materials available, choosing the most adequate ones is a difficult task. Apart from most relevant characteristics such as aesthetics and mechanical strength, it is just as important to obtain smooth restorations, given the negative effects of bacterial plaque retention on the stomatognathic system. We have considered four of the composite resins most frequently used by dentists in Romania and we used laboratory tests to analyse the wear resistance and surface roughness after applying 3 finishing systems. We show that finishing systems have a powerful impact on composite materials roughness, and the best results are obtained with a microhybrid composite. As for wear resistance, nanohybrid composites proved to be superior to microhybrid ones. The results of the study suggest that the structure of the composite material counter-balances its roughness. From a clinical perspective, the quality of the surface of dental restorations is important not only functionally, preventing their wear and bacterial plaque retention, but also from an aesthetical point of view. "

Aim. The assessment of distribution of supernumerary permanent teeth (SPT) and the disturbances caused by them. Material and method. Cross-sectional study upon a sample of 85 children (58 boys) aged between 3 and 18 years (mean age=9.08±3.09 years) with at least one SPT. Were analyzed: patients' distribution according to gender, age and number of dental units; SPT distribution according to arch and topography and also the disturbances noticed. Results. a) boys:girls ratio=2.14:1; b) the 85 patients had 107 SPT, mean number=1.25; c) 76.47% of patients had one SPT; d) 89.72% of SPT were on maxillary arch, maxilla:mandible ratio = 8.7:1; d) 92.52% of SPT were localized in anterior region, anterior:posterior region ratio = 12.3:1; e) mesiodens –71.96%, supernumerary lateral incisor – 19.62%; f) disturbances caused by SPT: ectopic eruption of permanent teeth – 36.47%; delay or failure of eruption of permanent teeth – 21.17%; crowding – 20%. Conclusions. 1. Supernumerary teeth were most frequent noticed in boys, in maxillary anterior region. 2. Most often they caused eruption disturbances of permanent teeth. Keywords: supernumerary permanent teeth, distribution, complications.

Teeth replacement through dental implants represents one of the oldest practices in the entire history of dentistry, being supported by archaeological findings and dedicated chapters in old medical textbooks. Ancient civilizations like Mayans, Egyptians, Phoenicians, or Chinese used amazing methods of implantology, and interesting materials like shells, bamboo, porcelain, iridioplatinum, or cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, connected using ligature wires made of gold, silver, linen or silk, or even real teeth, of human or animal origin. Over the time, dental implantology has evolved from rudimentary attempts to replace missing teeth, to experimental treatments with various materials, until reaching the point where implant-supported prostheses represent a highly predictable rehabilitation option. This historical perspective starts from ancient civilizations and emphasizes the main findings in every important phase of evolution of dental implants, providing a tour of the materials that were used, the main contributors and experiments that defined the science of implantology through time.

Veterans in Maine : A Report. "Labor Market Information Publication" Maine Department of Manpower Affairs, Employment Security, Manpower Research Division, 20 Union Street, Augusta, Maine 04330. December 1978 ; https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/me_collection/1015/thumbnail.jpg

The interparietoperitoneal (IPP) space, by a broad definition, is the space between the musculo-fascial walls of the abdomen and the parietal peritoneum. A review of the literature on this subject has been performed through a search in the databases according to the following keywords: Bogros space, Retzius space, preperitoneal approach, and urogenital fascia. We have also analyzed the video recordings of the dissections of the inguinopreperitoneal region during TAPP, conducted by a single team, evaluating the dissection planes in the two compartments (medial and lateral) of the IPPS. Based on the latest data from the literature, as well as on our own experience in laparo-endoscopic herniation surgery, we aim to provide answers to several questions. IPPS from the inguinal region is an area as complex as it is narrow, but of great current surgical interest (approaches of hernias, vessels, prostate). The fascial distribution has its origin in the embryological development of the urogenital apparatus. The basic fascial structure in understanding IPPS compartmentalization is the UGF, along with its extensions.