The CEJ: a biofilm and calculus trap

There is a direct correlation between increasing periodontal probing depth and increasing presence of residual biofilms and calculus. One of the more common areas to find postscaling and root-planing residual biofilm and calculus is the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ)--an area that in most cases is easily accessible. Yet few studies have addressed the question of why the CEJ is a potential biofilm and calculus trap. This article discusses the various anatomical relationships of enamel, dentin, and cementum at the CEJ, the role of CEJ anatomy in the retention of biofilm (with SEM photographs as supporting evidence), and the biological and clinical implications of subgingival residual biofilm and calculus.     

Image Analysis Approach for Development of a Decision Support System for Detection of Malaria Parasites in Thin Blood Smear Images

This paper describes development of a decision support system for diagnosis of malaria using color image analysis. A hematologist has to study around 100 to 300 microscopic views of Giemsa-stained thin blood smear images to detect malaria parasites, evaluate the extent of infection and to identify the species of the parasite. The proposed algorithm picks up the suspicious regions and detects the parasites in images of all the views. The subimages representing all these parasites are put together to form a composite image which can be sent over a communication channel to obtain the opinion of a remote expert for accurate diagnosis and treatment. We demonstrate the use of the proposed technique for use as a decision support system by developing an android application which facilitates the communication with a remote expert for the final confirmation on the decision for treatment of malaria. Our algorithm detects around 96% of the parasites with a false positive rate of 20%. The Spearman correlation r was 0.88 with a confidence interval of 0.838 to 0.923, p<0.0001.     

Microanatomical and immunohistochemical study of the human lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of forearm at the antecubital fossa and its clinical implications

Changes in the intraneural anatomy with age can cause poor prognosis of nerve repair in patients after nerve injury. The occurrence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome‐Type II, secondary to peripheral nerve injury, is common. The purpose of this study is to asses changes in cross‐sectional anatomy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve of forearm (LCNF) at the antecubital fossa in the fascicular, nonfascicular components (adipose and nonadipose tissue), and sympathetic fibers area with respect to age. For the purpose of the study, 32 human (37–88 years) fresh cadaveric LCNF were collected from left‐antecubital fossae and processed for histological, morphometric analysis [total cross‐sectional (Asc), fascicular (Af), and nonfascicular area (Anonf)], and immunohistochemical method (tyrosine hydroxylase) for sympathetic fibers. The LCNF's average total cross‐sectional area was 3.024 mm², and fascicular area was 0.582 mm². The average number of fascicles per mm² was 3.09. The cross‐sectional area in the nerve was mainly occupied by nonfascicular connective tissue (80.75%). There was increased adipose tissue deposition (48.48% of Asc) and decreased collagen fibers (32.24% of Asc) in interfascicular domains without any definite relationship with age. The average sympathetic fiber area was 0.026 mm² within the nerve fascicular area without any correlation with age. In LCNF, there was more adipose tissue and less collagen fibers deposition in the interfascicular domains of all age cases, and this may act as an obstacle for nerve fiber regeneration on using LCNF as an interpositional nerve graft. Clin. Anat. 23:693–701, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Neuronal hypertrophy and mast cells in histologically negative,clinically diagnosed acute appendicitis: a quantitative immunophenotypical analysis

Introduction and Aim  

In about 20–25% of appendicectomies performed for clinically suspected acute appendicitis, definite morphological changes are lacking on histopathological examination. The present study was done to investigate whether any changes in neurons and mast cells could be detected in patients presenting with clinical acute appendicitis but found to have normal appendix at histopathology.     

Bar Retained Dento-Alveolar Prosthesis: A Case Report

A technique for restoring missing anterior teeth with associated extensive alveolar bone loss has been presented. This technique combines fixed and removable restorations where in removable prosthesis that restores the alveolar defect gets attached to the fixed prosthesis through precision attachment. The fixed prosthesis contributes to esthetics, function and also elevates patient’s self image. The removable prosthesis provides the much needed soft tissue support and also facilitates oral hygiene maintenance.