Intracanal reinforcement fiber in pediatric dentistry: a case report.

A technique for the restoration of carious primary maxillary incisors using indirect resin composite crowns and intracanal reinforcement fiber is described. Endodontic treatment was previously performed on each tooth. The advantages of using an intracanal reinforcement fiber include resin composite crown reinforcement, translucency, and relative manipulation facility. In addition, the use of indirect resin composite crowns provides good shape and esthetics, as well as reduced chair time for the child. The technique is illustrated in a case report in which indirect resin composite crowns and an intracanal reinforcement fiber are placed in a 3-year-old girl.     

Laser treatment of recurrent herpes labialis: a literature review

Recurrent herpes labialis is a worldwide life-long oral health problem that remains unsolved. It affects approximately one third of the world population and causes frequent pain and discomfort episodes, as well as social restriction due to its compromise of esthetic features. In addition, the available antiviral drugs have not been successful in completely eliminating the virus and its recurrence. Currently, different kinds of laser treatment and different protocols have been proposed for the management of recurrent herpes labialis. Therefore, the aim of the present article was to review the literature regarding the effects of laser irradiation on recurrent herpes labialis and to identify the indications and most successful clinical protocols. The literature was searched with the aim of identifying the effects on healing time, pain relief, duration of viral shedding, viral inactivation, and interval of recurrence. According to the literature, none of the laser treatment modalities is able to completely eliminate the virus and its recurrence. However, laser phototherapy appears to strongly decrease pain and the interval of recurrences without causing any side effects. Photodynamic therapy can be helpful in reducing viral titer in the vesicle phase, and high-power lasers may be useful to drain vesicles. The main advantages of the laser treatment appear to be the absence of side effects and drug interactions, which are especially helpful for older and immunocompromised patients. Although these results indicate a potential beneficial use for lasers in the management of recurrent herpes labialis, they are based on limited published clinical trials and case reports. The literature still lacks double-blind controlled clinical trials verifying these effects and such trials should be the focus of future research.     

Pretreatment differentiation of renal cell carcinoma subtypes by CT: the influence of different tumor enhancement measurement approaches

Purpose

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the influence of different tumor enhancement measurement approaches on the ability of computed tomography (CT) to differentiate between solid forms of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), other RCC histologic subtypes and oncocytomas. Different RCC subtypes have a diverse range of malignant potential; consequently, the information about RCC subtype obtained using minimally invasive imaging method before the treatment could allow the more accurate therapy planning. Differentiation of ccRCCs from oncocytomas is important because oncocytomas are usually benign tumors which could be treated conservatively.

Methods

CT images of 113 patients with 118 solid renal tumors were evaluated. The imaging protocol consisted pre-contrast and post-contrast images during the arterial and nephrographic phases. Renal tumor attenuation values were measured using region of interest covering as much of the solid enhancing tumor tissue as possible. Tumor attenuation values and tumor enhancement ratios were correlated with histologic subtype. One hundred of tumors were diagnosed as clear cell RCC, nine as non-clear cell RCC and nine as oncocytoma.

Results

Tumor attenuation values of >74 HU on the arterial phase scans significantly correlated with clear cell RCC (Az 0.73). The tumor-to-aorta enhancement ratios calculated on tumor attenuation values measured on the arterial phase scans had a cutoff value of >0.29, which significantly correlated with clear cell RCC (Az 0.79). All ROC curves for differentiating the clear cell RCC from oncocytomas have area under the curve too small (0.5 or less) to have chose cutoff value with sensitivity and specificity that could be applied in clinical work.

Conclusion

Enhancement measurements of renal carcinomas on CT images in the arterial phase can be used as an auxiliary method in the pretreatment differentiation of solid forms of the most frequent RCC subtypes in patients not suitable for core biopsy but who are suitable for minimally invasive treatment methods and/or targeted therapy.     

Genotype‐phenotype associations in breast pathology: Achievements of the past quarter century

The first genotype‐phenotype relationship in breast pathology developed in 1994 with the discovery of the CDH1 gene. This finding eventually provided biological insight into the characteristic morphology of invasive lobular carcinoma. Subsequent investigative efforts have uncovered additional molecular alterations largely responsible for the histology of several breast neoplasms including secretory carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, tall cell carcinoma with reversed polarity, fibroepithelial lesions, and most recently, adenomyoepithelioma. Evaluation of the genomic landscape of other special types of breast cancer with distinctive growth patterns, such as invasive mucinous carcinoma, have yet to uncover recurring cytogenetic and/or molecular alterations. Despite the lack of a hallmark alteration in mucinous carcinoma, it is important to note the relative decrease in PIK3CA mutations compared with invasive carcinoma of no special type. In this review, we describe the clinical and pathologic features of breast tumors with recognized genotype‐phenotype correlations and summarize the molecular alterations of mucinous carcinoma.     

Discovery and characterization of QPT-1, the progenitor of a new class of bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors

QPT-1 was discovered in a compound library by high-throughput screening and triage for substances with whole-cell antibacterial activity. This totally synthetic compound is an unusual barbituric acid derivative whose activity resides in the (-)-enantiomer. QPT-1 had activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, was nontoxic to eukaryotic cells, and showed oral efficacy in a murine infection model, all before any medicinal chemistry optimization. Biochemical and genetic characterization showed that the QPT-1 targets the beta subunit of bacterial type II topoisomerases via a mechanism of inhibition distinct from the mechanisms of fluoroquinolones and novobiocin. Given these attributes, this compound represents a promising new class of antibacterial agents. The success of this reverse genomics effort demonstrates the utility of exploring strategies that are alternatives to target-based screens in antibacterial drug discovery.     

Psychological Features of Hypnotizability: A First Step Towards Its Empirical Definition

This study examined the relationship between the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP) and several psychological tests: Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), Spontaneity Assessment Inventory-Revised (SAI-R), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Short-Form Boundary Questionnaire (SFBQ), Mini Locus of Control (MLOC), Testoni Death Representation Scale (TDRS), and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Two hundred and forty volunteers were administered the above tests; 78 of them were also administered the HIP, and its scores were compared to those on the other tests. A significant correlation was found among the TAS, DES, SFBQ, and IRI. The HIP was significantly correlated to the DES (r = .19 p_1tail = .045), and the IRI-ec subscale (r = .19 p_1tail = .044); 14 test items from DES, IRI, TAS, SAIR, and SFBQ were also significantly related to the HIP. The findings suggest that hypnotizability may relate to stronger perception of the inner world, decreased aptitude for managing memory processing, and increased sensitivity and empathy.     

Decontamination of dental implant surfaces by means of photodynamic therapy

Several implant surface debridement methods have been reported for the treatment of peri-implantitis, however, some of them can damage the implant surface or promote bacterial resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new treatment option for peri-implantitis. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze implant surface decontamination by means of PDT. Sixty implants were equally distributed (n?=?10) into four groups and two subgroups. In group G1 there was no decontamination, while in G2 decontamination was performed with chlorhexidine. G3 (PDT???laser?+?dye) and G4 (laser, without dye) were divided into two subgroups each; with PDT performed for 3 min in G3a and G4a, and for 5 min in G3b and G4b. After 5 min in contact with methylene blue dye (G3), the implants were irradiated (G3 and G4) with a low-level laser (GaAlAs, 660 nm, 30 mW) for 3 or 5 min (7.2 and 12 J). After the dilutions, culture media were kept in an anaerobic atmosphere for 1 week, and then colony forming units were counted. There was a significant difference (p?<?0.001) between G1 and the other groups, and between G4 in comparison with G2 and G3. Better decontamination was obtained in G2 and G3, with no statistically significant difference between them. The results of this study suggest that photodynamic therapy can be considered an efficient method for reducing bacteria on implant surfaces, whereas laser irradiation without dye was less efficient than PDT.