Application of Isolite system during treatment of dental caries identified in submerged mandibular second primary molar

We used the Isolite system for treatment of dental caries identified in a submerged mandibular right primary second molar. A 5-year-6-month-old girl was referred to our clinic for close examination of an impacted mandibular right second primary molar. An intraoral examination showed a slight pit extending inside the gingiva and on the occlusal surface of the tooth. X-ray photographic examination revealed that the affected tooth was severely submerged and had a radiolucent area on the occlusal surface, which extended close to the pulp cavity. Most of the periodontal ligament space could not be clearly identified except for the distal side of the distal root. We considered that the area of the tooth was partially ankylosed and consulted with oral surgeons, who decided to postpone extraction, due to the presence of the permanent successor close to the affected tooth. Thus, we treated the dental caries, which appeared to be technically difficult because of the deep location of the tooth. The Isolite system was utilized in this case, as we considered that adjacent soft tissue and saliva could be excluded with its use. Under infiltration anesthesia, gingival tissue covering the occlusal surface was removed with an electric knife, and the carious lesion was removed, which resulted in pulp exposure. Severe inflammation of the pulp was revealed and pulpectomy was performed. There were no signs and symptoms after the treatment. At 1 year after treatment, the occlusal surface remained exposed and no inflammatory findings were observed in adjacent gingival tissue.     

Characterization and Management of Arrhythmic Events in Young Patients With Brugada Syndrome

Background

Information on young patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmic events (AEs) is limited.

Echocardiographic assessment of takotsubo cardiomyopathy: beyond apical ballooning

It has been >25 years since the first report of the takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC). Although left ventriculography was originally used to depict its typical and impressive wall motion abnormality mimicking “takotsubo”, or octopus pot, echocardiography plays a pivotal role in detecting not only its left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormality, apical ballooning, but also various other findings. First of all, apical ballooning is not an essential finding for TC anymore. Mid-ventricular LV asynergy with or without apical involvement is a basic pattern of the LV wall motion abnormality. Distribution and time course of the asynergy may be best detected by echocardiography and echo provides useful information to differentiate between TC and acute coronary syndrome or acute myocarditis. In addition to the wall motion assessment, echo detects complications of TC such as systolic anterior motion of the mitral leaflet with or without LV outflow obstruction, mitral regurgitation, LV thrombus, right ventricular (RV) involvement. In particular, RV involvement is not an uncommon finding and is associated with worse short-term as well as long-term prognosis. Finally, coronary flow measurements and speckle tracking by echo may offer additional and useful information about pathophysiology and prognosis of TC. In conclusion, echocardiography is a standard imaging modality for detecting various dynamic findings beyond apical ballooning in patients with TC.     

The formation of intracellular glyceraldehyde-derived advanced glycation end-products and cytotoxicity

Background  

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a feature of metabolic syndrome. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are formed by the Maillard reaction, which contributes to aging and to certain pathological complications of diabetes. A recent study has suggested that glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs (Glycer-AGEs) are elevated in the sera of patients with NASH. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry of Glycer-AGEs showed intense staining in the livers of patients with NASH. The present study aimed to examine the effect of intracellular Glycer-AGEs on hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells.     

Square-stepping exercise and fall risk factors in older adults: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Decreased fitness of the lower extremities is a potentially modifiable fall risk factor. This study aimed to compare two exercise programs--square-stepping exercise (SSE), which is a low-cost indoor program, and walking--for improving the fitness of the lower extremities. METHODS: We randomly allocated 68 community-dwelling older adults (age 65-74 years) to either the SSE or walking group (W group). During the 12-week regimen, the SSE group participated in 70-minute exercise sessions conducted twice a week at a local health center, and the W group participated in outdoor supervised walking sessions conducted weekly. The W group was instructed to increase the number of daily steps. Prior to and after the program, we obtained information on 11 physical performance tests for known fall risk factors and 3 self-reported scales. The fall incidence was followed-up for 8 months. RESULTS: At 12 weeks postregimen, significant differences were observed between the two exercise groups with respect to leg power (1 item), balance (2 items), agility (2 items), reaction time (2 items), and a self-reported scale (1 item); the SSE group demonstrated a marked improvement in the above-mentioned items with Group x Time interactions. Significant time effects were observed in the tests involving chair stands, functional reach, and standing up from a lying-down position without Group x Time interactions. During the follow-up period, the fall rates per person-year in the SSE and W groups were 23.4% and 33.3%, respectively (p =.31). CONCLUSION: Although further studies are required, SSE is apparently more effective than walking in reducing fall risk factors, and it appears that it may be recommended as a health promotion exercise in older adults.