A clinical and radiographic evaluation of stainless steel crowns for primary molars

AIM: This study was performed to evaluate clinically and radiographically the effect of stainless steel crowns placed on primary molars on gingival and bone structures. SAMPLE: 254 crowns were evaluated in a sample of 177 children aged 3.5-12 years old with a mean age of 7 years. METHOD: The clinical parameters that were evaluated were, crown marginal extension, crown marginal adaptation, intact proximal contact, gingival index and the duration of presence of the crowns, together with the oral hygiene index of the child. Bitewing radiographs were viewed for extension and adaptation of crown margins and for evaluating the interproximal bone level. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that interproximal bone resorption was not significantly affected by either crown marginal extension or adaptation, preserving tight proximal contact between molars, oral hygiene level or duration of presence of the crown. On the other hand, there was significant bone resorption when the crown was judged radiographically as non-satisfactory. While oral hygiene level had a significant effect on the gingival index, presence or absence of proper proximal contact did not have an effect on the gingival index. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from this study that stainless steel crowns are still a valuable procedure that has no harmful effect on the gingiva and bone provided that good oral hygiene level was maintained.     

Recent insights into the role of Notch signaling in tumorigenesis

Members of the Notch family of transmembrane receptors play an important role in cell fate determination. Over the past decade, a role for Notch in the pathogenesis of hematologic and solid malignancies has become apparent. Numerous cellular functions and microenvironmental cues associated with tumorigenesis are modulated by Notch signaling, including proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and angiogenesis. It is becoming increasingly evident that Notch signaling can be both oncogenic and tumor suppressive. This review highlights recent findings regarding the molecular and functional aspects of Notch-mediated neoplastic transformation. In addition, cellular mechanisms that potentially explain the complex role of Notch in tumorigenesis are discussed.     

Transtracheal stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve

Phonation was induced in 10 mongrel dogs under general anesthesia by way of transtracheal stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves under conditions of constant air flow. Although stimulation voltages were approximately 10 times the voltage required for direct stimulation, no cardiac or respiratory abnormalities were observed. Photoglottographic and electroglottographic signals were the same for both direct and transtracheally induced phonation. This phonation induction method can be used in chronic animal preparations to study vocal fold vibration sequentially and may be clinically applied to the treatment of patients with laryngeal problems that have failed to respond, or are not amenable, to standard forms of vocal rehabilitation.     

Role of carbon dioxide angiography in management of below knee arterial lesions

Introduction

Many practitioners express concern about the adequacy of imaging using CO₂ in the lower extremities, particularly in the distribution of the popliteal artery and below (5). Published results have varied considerably with respect to the validity of imaging this anatomy.

Objectives

Review our experience with CO₂ angiography using CO₂ angioset in evaluation and intervention of below knee arteries.

Patients and methods

Forty patients with lower limb ischemia were divided into two groups. The 1st group has normal kidney function, subjected to angiography with CO₂ and water soluble contrast media (WSCM) as the reference standard (control). The 2nd group has subjected only to CO₂ angiography due to one or more risk factors related to WSCM. CO₂ angioset is a dedicated CO₂ injection system used in all patients. In the 1st group; imaging findings on CO₂ and WSCM angiography were compared while in the 2nd group; findings were compared with the post procedure clinical and color Doppler findings.

Results

All arterial lesions detected on CO₂ angiography were comparable to those obtained with WSCM in the control group. In the 2nd group; post procedure clinical and Doppler findings correlated well with angiographic findings and angioplasty results. CO₂ angiography images have lower resolution compared to WSCM however, they were reliable for accurate diagnosis and to guide angioplasty.

Conclusion

CO₂ angiography using CO₂ angioset is considered a reliable alternate to WSCM in assessment of below knee arteries and provides a reliable roadmap to interventional procedures.     

Limited role of multi-attribute utility scale and SF-36 in predicting management outcome of heavy menstrual bleeding

Objective

To compare the value of SF36v2 versus multi-attribute utility score (MAS) for predicting treatment outcome in heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

Study design

Longitudinal observational study, in an outpatient service of a large UK teaching hospital. 193 women took part. Women were asked to complete SF36v2 and a multi-attribute utility score (MAS) for menorrhagia before the first consultation. Patient management was determined through an evidence based guideline and blind to their response to the questionnaire. Treatment outcome at 8 months was examined in relation to the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health summary scales of SF36v2 and to MAS.

Results

At study entry equal numbers of patients, 179 (93%), returned usable responses for SF36v2 and the multi-attribute scale; 178 (92%) returned both. Baseline SF36v2 scores for role physical, bodily pain, social functioning and mental health were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the group of women who finally required surgery, but the difference in PCS or MCS was not statistically significant. The mean MAS score for those who did not need surgery was 50.7, and for those who needed surgery following failed medical treatment was 35.06. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001, 95% CI 7.47–23.82). Using logistic regression analysis there was a statistically significant association between baseline MAS but not MCS or PCS and the need for surgery. However, there was considerable overlap between treatment groups.

Conclusions

MAS may be a better predictor of management outcome compared to SF36v2 for HMB; but its utility for the individual patient is limited.     

Chromosome abnormalities in benign prostatic hyperplasia

We combined conventional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization of short-term cultures of 28 samples from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lou of the Y chromosome was the most common chromosome change, followed by trisomy 7. Trisomy 7, however, may be unrelated to the origin of benign prostate hyperplasia, in which the only and not very specific change seems to be the loss of the Y chromosome. Genes Chrom Cancer 9:227-233 (1594). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: State of the art

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is used to analyze embryos genetically before their transfer into the uterus. It was developed first in England in 1990, as part of progress in reproductive medicine, genetic and molecular biology. PGD offers couples at risk the chance to have an unaffected child, without facing termination of pregnancy. Embryos are obtained by in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and are biopsied mostly on day 3; blastocyst biopsy is mentioned as a possible alternative. The genetic analysis is performed on one or two blastomeres, by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) for cytogenetic diagnosis, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for molecular diagnosis. Genetic analysis of the first or second polar body can be used to study maternal genetic contribution. Only unaffected embryos are transferred into the uterus. To improve the accuracy of the diagnosis, new technologies are emerging, with comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and microarrays.