In coronary artery disease (CAD), a concomitant peripheral arterial disease (PAD) entails a more severe coronary atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the severity of carotid artery disease is greater in CAD+PAD than in CAD alone. In 90 CAD and 79 CAD+PAD patients, carotid plaque echolucency was measured by gray-scale median (GSM), and the degree of carotid stenosis by routine Doppler criteria. Plaques were absent in 20 (22.2%) CAD and 8 (10.1%) CAD+PAD patients (p = 0.035), while the prevalence of carotid stenosis ≥ 50% was 16.7% and 25.3%, respectively (p = 0.166). The GSM score was 45.1 [21.7–67.7] in CAD+PAD vs 60.1 [44.9–83.1] in CAD alone (p < 0.001). Consistently, hypoechoic plaques (GSM < 25th percentile) were more common in CAD+PAD than in CAD patients (38.0% vs 11.4%, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, CAD+PAD was the only variable significantly associated with hypoechoic plaques (OR = 4.16, 95% CI 1.68–10.28). However, when the leukocyte count was added to the model, it showed the strongest association with hypoechoic plaques (OR = 6.70, 95% CI 2.13–21.10). In conclusion, compared with CAD alone patients, those with concomitant PAD showed a greater prevalence of plaques with characteristics of instability. Thus, our data suggest that in CAD+PAD, evaluation of carotid plaque echogenicity could contribute to improve clinical decision-making and differentiate treatments for individual patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the facial profile changes of patients treated for class II skeletal malocclusions with an elastodontic appliance compared to those treated with the Herbst appliance and a control group. Methods: Forty class II patients were treated using an elastodontic appliance (Group EA) and were compared to 40 patients treated with the Herbst appliance (Group H) and to 40 untreated class II children (Group C). Aesthetic profile variables were analysed using Arnett’s analysis. Cephalograms were compared pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test or paired-samples t-test was used for pairwise comparison of cephalometric measurements taken at T0 and T1. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were performed to assess differences between the groups. Results: In the elastodontic group, the inclination of the upper incisors increased by 4.05°. In addition, the Pog–TVL and B–TVL distances decreased by 2.84 mm and 1.79 mm, respectively. In patients treated with an elastodontic appliance, the inclination of the upper incisors increased by 4.05°. In addition, the Pog–TVL and B–TVL distances decreased by 2.84 mm and 1.79 mm, respectively. In patients treated with the Herbst appliance, the inclination of the lower incisors increased by 6.11°. Furthermore, the treatment resulted in reductions in the Pog–TVL distance (2.58 mm), the B–TVL distance (2.26 mm), and the LL–TVL distance (2.31 mm). Conclusions: The profile changes achieved by both devices are favourable for correcting class II skeletal malocclusion.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the facial profile changes of patients treated for class II skeletal malocclusions with the Elastodontic appliance compared to those treated with the Herbst appliance and a control group. Methods: Forty class II patients were treated using the Elastodontic appliance (Group EA) and were compared with 40 patients treated with a Herbst appliance (Group H) and with 40 untreated class II children (Group C). Aesthetic profile variables were analysed using Arnett's analysis. Cephalograms were compared pre-treatment (T0) and post-treatment (T1). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test or paired-samples t-test were used for pairwise comparison of cephalometric measurements taken at T0 and T1. One-way ANOVA and Tuckey's post-hoc test were performed to assess differences between the groups. Results: In Group C, from T0 to T1, the LL-TVL distance and POG'-TVL distance decreased. In the EA group, the 1+SN angle increased from T0 to T1, while the POG'-TVL and B'-TVL distances decreased. In Group H from T0 to T1, the POG'-TVL, B'-TVL, LL-TVL, and 1+SN measurements decreased while 1-GOME (IMPA) increased. There were significant differences on ANOVA in 1+SN, IMPA, 1+TVL, LL-TVL, and UL-TVL. Compared to Group C, 1+SN and UL-TVL were lower in Group H, while IMPA and 1+TVL were higher in group H. Compared to the EA group, 1+SN and UL-TVL were lower in the H Group, while IMPA and LL-TVL were higher in the H Group. Conclusion: The profile changes achieved by both devices are favourable for correcting class II skeletal malocclusion.

Objective: This observational study aimed to evaluate occlusal changes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treated with a mandibular advancement device after two years of therapy. Methods: Sixty adult patients with mild to moderate OSA (apnea–hypopnea index 15–30 events/h) were treated with the IMYS MAD for 24 months. Digital dental impressions were analyzed using Autodesk Meshmixer and Fusion 360 to measure sagittal, frontal, and occlusal angles, as well as upper incisor inclination at baseline (T0) and after treatment (T1). In addition, changes in the polysomnographic indices AHI and ODI were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests depending on data normality (p < 0.05). Results: No significant differences were found between T0 and T1 in sagittal (IC 95% −2.053,1.433), occlusal (IC 95%, −1.202, 0.722) or frontal angles (IC 95% −1.487, 0.447), or in upper incisor inclination (IC 95%, 0.06,3.04). Polysomnographic parameters improved significantly, with mean AHI decreasing from 27.7 ± 12.3 (IC 95% 24.53–30.87) to 6.2 ± 4.0 events/h (IC 95% 5.17–7.27) and ODI from 19.7 ± 9.4 (IC 95% 17.27–22.13) to 4.7 ± 3.2 (IC 95% 3.82–5.48, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study found that the IMYS MAD did not induce significant variations in occlusal plane orientation or upper incisors inclination after two years of treatment. These null findings suggest that the IMYS device may provide effective OSA management while minimizing the risk of occlusal or dental side effects. However, the retrospective design and the 24-month follow-up duration should be taken into consideration.