Comparative evaluation of surgical outcome after removal of impacted mandibular third molars using a Piezotome or a conventional handpiece: a prospective study

Our aim was to compare the use of a conventional rotary handpiece and a Piezosurgical unit for extraction of lower third molars. We studied 40 patients, who were allocated alternately to have the third molar removed with either the handpiece or the Piezosurgical unit. Pain, trismus, and oedema were evaluated at baseline and then postoperatively, together with paraesthesiae, on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15. Damage to surrounding tissue was checked on the same day whereas dry socket was evaluated from postoperative day 3 onwards. More patients complained of pain in the conventional group, they also required more analgesics, and they developed trismus more often than in the Piezosurgery group. There was also significantly more postoperative swelling in the conventional group. Patients were also evaluated using the subjective Postoperative Symptom Severity (PoSSe) scale. Our results suggest that apart from some inherent limitations with the Piezotome, it is a valuable alternative for extraction of third molars.     

Chondromyxoid fibroma: A fine-needle aspiration diagnosis

A 25-yr-old female presented with a slowly progressive swelling, occurring over an 8-yr period, in the right lower leg. The swelling was tender and fixed to the underlying bone. Clinical and radiological diagnosis was giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bone. Aspiration cytology smears were cellular showing an admixture of chondroid, stellate, and fibrocytic cells against a chondroid background. On cytomorphology, a diagnosis of chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) was made. It was confirmed on histologic examination.     

An In Vitro Stereomicroscopic Evaluation of Bioactivity between Neo MTA Plus,Pro Root MTA,BIODENTINE & Glass Ionomer Cement Using Dye Penetration Method

The ideal root end filling material should form a tight seal in the root canal by adhering to the cavity walls. Several materials have been used for root end filling. The present study aims to find out and compare the bioactivity of Neo MTA Plus, Pro Root MTA White, BIODENTINE & glass ionomer cement as root end filling materials using 1% methylene blue as tracer. Materials and methods: 80 extracted human permanent maxillary anterior teeth were used in the study. They were divided into four groups. Specimens were sectioned transversely in the cervical area to separate the crown from the root. The root canal was obturated with gutta percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealers. Thereafter, each sample was resected apically by removing 3 mm of the apex and filled with different materials. Samples were kept in buffering solution at 37 °C until the recommended evaluation periods. The specimens were then suspended in 1% methylene blue for 24 h, prior to the analysis. The teeth were then sectioned, and dye penetration was examined, photographed, and evaluated under a stereomicroscope. Results: Vertical dye penetration showed significant differences across different groups. The minimum dye penetration was seen in Neo MTA plus followed by BIODENTINE, Pro Root MTA and maximum in GIC. There was no significant difference in dye penetration between Neo MTA plus and BIODENTINE both at fifteen days and one-month intervals. Conclusion: The present study suggests Neo MTA plus and BIODENTINE should be the preferred material for root end filling.     

Agouti-related peptide-expressing neurons are mandatory for feeding

Multiple hormones controlling energy homeostasis regulate the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Nevertheless, inactivation of the genes encoding NPY and/or AgRP has no impact on food intake in mice. Here we demonstrate that induced selective ablation of AgRP-expressing neurons in adult mice results in acute reduction of feeding, demonstrating direct evidence for a critical role of these neurons in the regulation of energy homeostasis.     

Face-to-Face Interaction Between Infants with Orofacial Clefts and Their Mother

Compared mother-infant face-to-face (en face) interaction among3-month-old infants with cleft lip and palate (CLP), infantswith isolated cleft palate (CP), or nonimpaired infants (NI).The Monadic Phase system (Tronick, Als, & Brazelton, 1980)was used to describe patterns of laboratory en face interactionin 116 mother-infant dyads. Diagnostic group comparisons ofpercentages of monadic phases and infant-mother monadic phasesequences revealed more similarities than differences. However,CP group mothers appeared less involved in en face interactionthan mothers in the CLP group. Low maternal involvement in thecombined cleft groups was predicted by concurrent measures ofinfant characteristics including infant negative reactivity,whereas low maternal involvement in the comparison group waspredicted by maternal characteristics including low psychologicaldistress. There was little evidence to suggest that anomalousfacial appearance is a significant factor influencing the qualityof early mother-infant interaction. Assessing other characteristicsof the infant and the broader social context is also important.     

Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverage consumption correlates with BMI,waist circumference,and poor dietary choices in school children

Background  

The prevalence of obesity and overweight is increasing globally. Frequently coexisting with under-nutrition in developing countries, obesity is a major contributor to chronic disease, and will become a serious healthcare burden especially in countries with a larger percentage of youthful population. 35% of the population of Saudi Arabia are under the age of 16, and adult dietary preferences are often established during early childhood years. Our objective was to examine the dietary habits in relation to body-mass-index (BMI) and waist circumference (W_C), together with exercise and sleep patterns in a cohort of male and female Saudi school children, in order to ascertain whether dietary patterns are associated with obesity phenotypes in this population.     

Clostridium difficile Infections among Hospitalized Children, United States, 1997�C2006

We evaluated the annual rate (cases/10,000 hospitalizations) of pediatric hospitalizations with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI; International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification code 008.45) in the United States. We performed a time-series analysis of data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database within the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project during 1997–2006 and a cross-sectional analysis within the National Hospital Discharge Survey during 2006. The rate of pediatric CDI-related hospitalizations increased from 7.24 to 12.80 from 1997 through 2006; the lowest rate was for children <1 year of age. Although incidence was lowest for newborns (0.5), incidence for children <1 year of age who were not newborns (32.01) was similar to that for children 5–9 years of age (35.27), which in turn was second only to incidence for children 1–4 years of age (44.87). Pediatric CDI-related hospitalizations are increasing. A better understanding of the epidemiology and outcomes of CDI is urgently needed.     

Childhood pustular psoriasis elicited by the streptococcal antigen: a case report and review of the literature

The Zumbusch pattern of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) classically presents as waves of widespread sheets of sterile pustules on brightly erythematous skin. The occurrence of this disease in childhood is rare, and fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. We describe a 10-year-old boy with GPP who had an elevated serum antistreptolysin titer. Several antigenic factors shown to elicit GPP have been reported, including withdrawal of steroids, emotional stress, and infection. However, we further propose that the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus can trigger a flare of GPP. We suggest that if pustular psoriasis is suspected clinically, an elevated serum antistreptolysin antibody titer may help identify the causative antigen.     

Domain swapping in a COOH-terminal fragment of platelet factor 4 generates potent angiogenesis inhibitors

A few peptide residues in structurally important locations often determine biological functions of proteins implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis. We have shown recently that the short COOH-terminal segment PF-4(47-70) derived from platelet factor 4 (PF-4) is the smallest sequence that conserves potent antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that modified COOH-terminal PF-4 peptides containing the sequence ELR (or related DLR), a critical domain present in proangiogenic chemokines, surprisingly elicit several times greater antiangiogenic potential than the original peptide. The modified peptides inhibit binding of iodinated vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 2 to endothelial cell receptors, endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and microvessel assembly in the rat aortic ring model at lower doses than PF-4(47-70). On the differentiated chick chorioallantoic membrane, topical application of 40 micro g of modified peptides potently reduces capillary angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor(165), a dose where peptide PF-4(47-70) was inactive. Established intracranial glioma in nude mice decreased significantly in size when treated locally with a total dose of 250 micro g of peptide PF-4(47-70)DLR (n = 10) compared with the same dose of the original PF-4(47-70) peptide (n = 10) or controls (n = 30). Tailored PF-4 peptides represent a new class of antiangiogenic agents with a defined mode of action and a strong in vivo activity.     

Pain assessment in Hawaii nursing homes

Nursing home personnel from adult long-term care facilities on Oahu were surveyed on their pain assessment practices with demented and non-verbal residents. Many reported having difficulties evaluating pain in these residents. Observation and standardized pain assessment scales were most frequently used pain assessment methods. Recommendations are made about how to improve pain assessment with demented and non-verbal patients.