Cross‐Imaging Platform Comparison of Ultrasonic Backscatter Coefficient Measurements of Live Rat Tumors

Objective. To translate quantitative ultrasound (QUS) from the laboratory into the clinic, it is necessary to demonstrate that the measurements are platform independent. Because the backscatter coefficient (BSC) is the fundamental estimate from which additional QUS estimates are calculated, agreement between BSC results using different systems must be demonstrated. This study was an intercomparison of BSCs from in vivo spontaneous rat mammary tumors acquired by different groups using 3 clinical array systems and a single‐element laboratory scanner system. Methods. Radio frequency data spanning the 1‐ to 14‐MHz frequency range were acquired in 3 dimensions from all animals using each system. Each group processed their radio frequency data independently, and the resulting BSCs were compared. The rat tumors were diagnosed as either carcinoma or fibroadenoma. Results. Carcinoma BSC results exhibited small variations between the multiple slices acquired with each transducer, with similar slopes of BSC versus frequency for all systems. Somewhat larger variations were observed in fibroadenomas, although BSC variations between slices of the same tumor were of comparable magnitude to variations between transducers and systems. The root mean squared (RMS) errors between different transducers and imaging platforms were highly variable. The lowest RMS errors were observed for the fibroadenomas between 4 and 5 MHz, with an average RMS error of 4 × 10^?5 cm^?1Sr^?1 and an average BSC value of 7.1 × 10^?4 cm^?1Sr^?1, or approximately 5% error. The highest errors were observed for the carcinoma between 7 and 8 MHz, with an RMS error of 1.1 × 10^?1 cm^?1Sr^?1 and an average BSC value of 3.5 × 10^?2 cm^?1Sr^?1, or approximately 300% error. Conclusions. This technical advance shows the potential for QUS technology to function with different imaging platforms.     

Radiological evidence of constipation in urinary tract infection

Little objective evidence has been published to support the claim that constipation is an important contributory factor in recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in childhood. Using a radiological scoring system, two observers assessed faecal loading from abdominal radiographs of children with proved UTIs. There was a significant increase in the degree of faecal loading in children with UTI when compared with controls (r = 0.237). This difference was mainly accounted for by girls with recurrent (greater than five) UTIs. This study confirms an association between recurrent UTI and faecal loading. Further studies are needed to establish if there is a causal relationship and benefits from treatment.     

Marginal and internal adaptation of extended class I restorations lined with flowable composites

OBJECTIVES: Cavity lining with flowable composites has been proposed to reduce interfacial stress due to its strain-absorbing capacity. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate marginal and internal adaptation of large Class I restorations filled in bulk after cavity lining with flowable composites. METHODS: Forty standardised large Class I cavities with enamel margins not supported by dentin, were randomly assigned to four groups and either restored in bulk after lining with flowable composites or in two oblique layers of high-viscosity composites. Two adhesives and flowable resins were used: Tetric Ceram, Tetric Flow, Excite (Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) vs. Prodigy Condensable, Revolution, Optibond Solo (Kerr Co., Orange, CA, USA). Immediately after restorative procedure marginal quality and the internal restoration interface of two bucco-oral sections were quantitatively assessed by SEM using replica technique. RESULTS: Marginal gaps were almost not seen in all test groups (<0.001%), whereas marginal enamel fractures frequently occurred (>23%). No differences in marginal adaptation were detected for both application techniques if the same adhesive was used (ANOVA, Tukey, p<0.05). Lining with Revolution resulted in a significantly higher percentage of marginal continuity (MC) and less enamel fractures (EF) compared to Tetric Flow (MC: 73 vs. 45%; EF: 23 vs. 50%). Gaps at the inner interface were rarely observed (<0.05%). CONCLUSIONS: Large Class I restorations without dentin supported cavity margins showed a high amount of marginal enamel fractures directly after placement. Lining with Revolution proved to have the highest potential to initially maintain the marginal integrity.     

The 'Anemia in the midwife practice' standard issued by the Royal Dutch Organisation of Midwives: a risk of not recognizing iron deficiency and hemoglobinopathy

The standard entitled 'Anaemia in the midwife practice' issued by the Royal Dutch Organisation of Midwives presumes that the only reason for iron therapy in pregnancy is the prevention of adverse pregnancy outcome due to a low haemoglobin level. Pregnant women are screened for iron deficiency anaemia by means of sequential testing of haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). As a result only 10% of pregnant women will receive iron supplements. This practice will lead to a deterioration in the already low iron status of Dutch premenopausal women. As the haemoglobin reference values are lower than hitherto used, only severely anaemic women will be detected. Due to the low diagnostic accuracy of the MCV test the subsequent selection will be an arbitrary one. The standard sets the cut-off values for haemoglobin in black women at an even lower level, which will reduce the number of haemoglobinopathies detected in the immigrant population. The non-carriers in this group will run an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome if these cut-off values are used. We are strongly in favour of the measurement of haemoglobin, erythrocyte indices and ferritin in early pregnancy. In this way, iron deficiency, iron deficiency anaemia, anaemia due to other causes and haemoglobinopathies, the latter highly underestimated in the standard, can be detected.     

Does chemomechanical caries removal affect dentine adhesion?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether shear bond strengths (SBS) to chemomechanically excavated dentine (Carisolv) differed from the SBS after conventional caries removal (bur). The following adhesive systems were used: Dyract AP/NRC/Prime & Bond NT; Dyract AP/Prime & Bond NT; Tetric Ceram/ Syntac SC; Tetric Ceram/Syntac SC (no etch) (TC 2); Definite/Etch & Prime 3.0; Definite/experimental. One-hundred and twenty human molars with occlusal caries were assigned to 12 groups. Sequential caries removal was controlled with laser fluorescence. After water storage, the samples were tested in a single-plane shear test assembly. The results demonstrated differences between the bonding systems, whereas the mode of caries removal had no consistent effect. If total etch technique was neglected, the results of the composite resin (TC 2) indicated a tendency to higher SBS in the Carisolv group (18.6 +/- 4.6 MPa) compared with conventional treatment (14.1 +/- 3.9 MPa). The present data demonstrate that chemomechanical caries removal has no adverse effect on bonding of modern adhesive systems to dentine. Smear layer-dissolving or -modifying bonding systems could potentially benefit from chemomechanical pretreatment.     

Phenotypic variation and detection of carrier status in the partial androgen insensitivity syndrome

The partial androgen insensitivity syndrome occurs in 46,XY subjects with phenotypes ranging from perineoscrotal hypospadias with cryptorchidism and micropenis (mild undervirilisation) to clitoromegaly and partial labial fusion (marked undervirilisation). Within an affected family, wide variation in the degree of genital ambiguity between individuals can be seen. Two cousins of a previously reported subject who had severe genital ambiguity and partial androgen insensitivity were investigated. Neither of the cousins had genital abnormalities as marked as the index case, who also had qualitatively abnormal androgen binding and two mutations of the androgen receptor gene. Despite marked phenotypic differences between the index case and his cousins, similar androgen binding and the same androgen receptor mutations were shown in the cousins. Furthermore, one of the androgen receptor gene mutations has been shown in the mother and sister of one of the boys indicating that they are carriers. Thus phenotypic variation in families affected by partial androgen insensitivity is dependent on factors other than abnormalities of the androgen receptor gene alone. Although carrier status in partial androgen insensitivity can be determined, the severity of genital abnormalities in an affected offspring cannot be reliably predicted.     

巫山淫羊藿的化学研究

从小檗科Berberidaceae淫羊藿属Epimedium植物巫山淫羊藿Epimedium wushanense T.S.Ying的地上部分中分得两种黄酮甙单体,经理化性质鉴定及紫外、红外、质谱、氢谱、碳谱等光谱分析,确定甙Ⅰ是新化合物,命名为巫山淫羊藿甙(wushanicariin)。甙Ⅱ是已知化合物淫羊藿甙(icariin),系首次从该种植物中分离。     

Major motor atrophic patterns in the face and neck: CT evaluation

Cranial nerve deficits from various pathologic processes of the head and neck may result in characteristic patterns of denervation muscular atrophy. Such atrophic patterns may be clues to the location and extent of the lesion, particularly when cranial nerves are involved early in the course of the disease process. Thirty-six patients with computed tomographic (CT) evidence of muscular atrophy secondary to pathologic conditions involving the motor division of cranial nerves were examined. Five characteristic denervation muscular atrophy patterns seen on CT scans were identified. In several patients, identification of the muscular atrophy pattern was the only clue to the presence of a pathologic condition. Recognition of these atrophic patterns can prevent misinterpretation of their CT appearance and direct the CT examination to the course of the compromised cranial nerve from the brainstem to its peripheral innervation.