Randomized prospective trial of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for bevacizumab-resistant high-grade glioma

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Outcomes for patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) progressing on bevacizumab (BEV) are dismal. Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSRS) has been shown to...     

Fungal infections following liver transplantation

With increasing morbidity and mortality from chronic liver disease and acute liver failure, the need for liver transplantation is on the rise. Most of these patients are extremely vulnerable to infections as they are immune-compromised and have other chronic co-morbid conditions. Despite the recent advances in practice and improvement in diagnostic surveillance and treatment modalities, a major portion of these patients continue to be affected by post-transplant infections. Of these, fungal infections are particularly notorious given their vague and insidious onset and are very challenging to diagnose. This mini-review aims to discuss the incidence of fungal infections following liver transplantation, the different fungi involved, the risk factors, which predispose these patients to such infections, associated diagnostic challenges, and the role of prophylaxis. The population at risk is increasingly old and frail, suffering from various other co-morbid conditions, and needs special attention. To improve care and to decrease the burden of such infections, we need to identify the at-risk population with more robust clinical and diagnostic parameters. A more robust global consensus and stringent guidelines are needed to fight against resistant microbes and maintain the longevity of current antimicrobial therapies.     

Congenital Hypothyroidism and the Importance of Universal Newborn Screening

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most common preventable causes of mental retardation in children. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent the devastating outcome of mental retardation. Clinical features of CH are subtle and are not evident early in the neonatal period. Therefore, universal newborn screening (NS) is effective in detecting CH and implementing early treatment. This article reviews the current literature regarding the epidemiology, etiology, classification, clinical features, diagnosis of primary CH, and the management of abnormal newborn screen as well as treatment and prognosis of primary CH and outlines the importance of universal newborn screening in preventing mental retardation.     

An in-vitro study of microleakage around class V cavities bonded with a self-etching material versus a conventional two-bottle system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the microleakage around class V restorations restored with either a self-etching adhesive system or a conventional two-bottle adhesive system used with "total etch" technique, and their recommended resin-based composites (RBC).METHODS: Two types of adhesive systems were used. A self-etching adhesive, Etch and Prime 3.0 (Degussa AG, Hanau, Germany), and a conventional two-bottle adhesive, Gluma Solid Bond (Heraeus Kulzer, Dormagen, Germany). The bonding systems were used in strict accordance with the manufacturers' instructions, except that, with the two-bottle adhesive system, the cavities were filled with either a "wet" or a "dry" bonding technique, subsequent to acid-etching with 20% phosphoric acid. Etch & Prime 3.0 was used in conjunction with Degufill Mineral (Degussa, Hanau, Germany) RBC and Gluma Solid Bond with Flow Line RBC (Heraeus Kulzer, Dormagen, Germany). Standardised bucco-cervical cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 15 extracted maxillary first premolar teeth; all cavity margins were in enamel. Ten of the resulting cavities (Group A) were restored using Etch & Prime 3.0 and Degufill Mineral, ten (Group B) using Gluma Solid Bond (Wet Bond), and ten (Group C) using Gluma Solid Bond (Dry Bond). Leakage scores at occlusal and gingival margins were calculated after thermocycling 500 times between baths, held at 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C, respectively, with 30 seconds dwell time in both. Data were analysed by the Fisher Exact Test.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the self-etching adhesive and conventional two-bottle adhesive systems at either the occlusal or the gingival margins. With the self-etching adhesive, there was no statistically significant difference in leakage scores between occlusal and gingival margins. There was a statistically significant difference between the occlusal and the gingival margins when a "wet" or "dry" bonding technique was used with the conventional two-bottle adhesive system.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the application of a conventional two-bottle bonding system used with a "total etch" technique is better than that of a self-etching adhesive system. With the former, the use of a "wet" bonding does not give better results than a "dry" bonding technique.     

Description of a new species Physaloptera goytaca n. sp. (Nematoda,Physalopteridae) from Cerradomys goytaca Tavares,Pessôa & Gonçalves, 2011 (Rodentia,Cricetidae) from Brazil

Parasitology Research - Nematodes of the genus Physaloptera are common in rodents, including in species of the Family Cricetidae. There is no report of nematodes parasitizing Cerradomys goytaca, so...     

The relationship between performance on the modified star excursion balance test and the knee muscle strength before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the dynamic balance of the injured and uninjured limb before and after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and compare with the control group.