Comparison of conventional,photogrammetry, and intraoral scanning accuracy of complete-arch implant impression procedures evaluated with a coordinate measuring machine

Statement of problemConventional implant impressions by using elastomeric impression material have been reported as a more reliable technique for a complete-arch implant record compared with intraoral scanner procedures. Photogrammetry technology may provide a reliable alternative to digital scanning or a conventional impression; however, its accuracy remains unclear.PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to measure and compare the implant abutment replica positions of the definitive cast with the implant abutment replica positions obtained by the conventional technique, photogrammetry, and 2 intraoral scanners.Material and methodsAn edentulous maxillary cast with 6 implant abutment replicas (RC analog for screw-retained abutment straight) was prepared. Three impression techniques were performed: the conventional impression technique (CNV group) by using a custom tray elastomeric impression procedure after splinting the impression copings at room temperature (23°C), photogrammetry (PG group) technology (Icam4D), digital scans by using 2 different IOSs following the manufacturer′s recommended scanning protocol, namely IOS-1 (iTero Element) and IOS-2 (TRIOS 3) groups (n=10). A coordinate measuring machine (CMM Contura G2 10/16/06 RDS) was used to measure the implant abutment replica positions of the definitive casts and to compare the linear discrepancies at the x-, y-, and z-axes and the angular distortion of each implant abutment replica position by using a computer aided-design software program (Geomagic) and the best fit technique. The 3D linear gap discrepancy was calculated. Measurements were repeated 3 times. The Shapiro-Wilk test revealed that the data were not normally distributed; therefore, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the data, followed by pairwise Mann-Whitney U tests (α=.05).ResultsSignificant y-axis linear and XY and YZ angular discrepancies were found among the CNV, PG, IOS-1, and IOS-2 groups (P<.05). The PG group obtained a significantly higher distortion on the y-axis and 3D gap compared with all the remaining groups (P=.004). The 3D discrepancy of the CNV group was 11.7 μm, of the IOS-1 group was 18.4 μm, of the IOS-2 was 21.1 μm, and of the PG group was 77.6 μm. In all groups, the interquartile range was higher than the median errors from the discrepancies measured from the definitive cast, indicating that the relative precision was low.ConclusionsThe conventional technique reported the lowest 3D discrepancy for the implant abutment position translation capabilities of all the implant techniques evaluated. The intraoral scanners tested provided no significant differences in linear distortion compared with the conventional method. However, the photogrammetry system tested provided the least accurate values, with the highest 3D discrepancy for the implant abutment positions among all the groups.     

The influence of zirconia veneer thickness on the degree of conversion of resin-matrix cements: an integrative review

Clinical Oral Investigations - The main&nbsp;aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review on the influence of the zirconia veneer thickness on the degree of conversion of resin-matrix...     

Evaluation of polymerization shrinkage of bulk-fill resin composites using microcomputed tomography

This study evaluated the influence of cavity depth on polymerization shrinkage of bulk-fill resin composites with and without adhesive resin. Standardized     

Convalescent plasma therapy in patients with COVID-19

IntroductionPassive antibody therapy has been used to immunize vulnerable people against infectious agents. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP) in the treatment of severe and critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19.MethodThe data of severe or critically ill COVID-19 patients who received anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-containing CP along with the antiviral treatment (n = 888) and an age-gender, comorbidity, and other COVID-19 treatments matched severe or critically ill COVID-19 patients at 1:1 ratio (n = 888) were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsDuration in the intensive care unit (ICU), the rate of mechanical ventilation (MV) support and vasopressor support were lower in CP group compared with the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.02, p = 0.001, respectively). The case fatality rate (CFR) was 24.7 % in the CP group, and it was 27.7 % in the control group. Administration of CP 20 days after the COVID-19 diagnosis or COVID-19 related symptoms were associated with a higher rate of MV support compared with the first 3 interval groups (≤5 days, 6?10 days, 11?15 days) (p=0.001).ConclusionCP therapy seems to be effective for a better course of COVID-19 in severe and critically ill patients.     

Imaging patterns of fatty liver in pediatric patients

Fatty liver can present as focal, diffuse, heterogeneous, and multinodular forms. Being familiar with various patterns of steatosis can enable correct diagnosis. In patients with equivocal findings on ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging can be used as a problem solving tool. New techniques are promising for diagnosis and follow-up. We review imaging patterns of steatosis and new quantitative methods such as proton density fat fraction and magnetic resonance elastography for diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children.Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is as widely encountered in children as in adults, with an estimated prevalence of 9.6% (1). It occurs due to accumulation of triglyceride in hepatocytes without alcohol ingestion. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was first defined in children in 1983 (2). NAFLD includes a broad range of clinicopathologic features ranging from simple steatosis (fat with inflammation and/or fibrosis), steatohepatitis/NASH to cirrhosis. Some other diseases of liver can also cause hepatic steatosis including hepatitis B and C, Wilson’s disease, α-1-antitrypsin deficiency, autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury (valproate, methotrexate, tetracycline, amiodarone, and prednisone), and total parenteral nutrition (3). Furthermore, fatty liver is a risk factor for cirrhosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.In clinical practice, the diagnosis of NAFLD is made by increased serum ALT and/or presence of enlarged echogenic liver in ultrasonography. Being overweight or obese, and/or insulin resistance are highly indicative but not absolutely necessary for diagnosing NAFLD (4). The gold standard for diagnosis is liver biopsy, which additionally provides semi-quantitative analysis of NASH damage in children (5). It is an expensive, invasive procedure with a risk of morbidity (0.06%–0.35%) and mortality (0.01%–0.1%) (6).The evaluation of liver fat in children via noninvasive imaging modalities is needed to avoid complications of biopsy and for follow-up. Main imaging modalities for the assessment of pediatric NAFLD are ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Computed tomography is the other imaging method for liver fat assessment, but ionizing radiation is a major drawback in children (7). Assessment of fat accumulation may cause diagnostic dilemmas and confusion due to manifestations with unusual structural patterns and imaging appearance of the liver. This article reviews the histopathology of pediatric NAFLD, radiologic evaluation and different structural patterns of childhood NAFLD/NASH on US and MRI. We also discuss diagnostic pitfalls and briefly review new imaging techniques.     

Correlation of Tumoral Prognostic Factors by Sonoelastography Score in Patients to be Operated Due to Breast Cancer

Predictability of pre-op prognosis on patient with a diagnosis of breast cancer is quite valuable for the choice of both surgical technique and adjuvant therapy. With the aim of evaluation of sonoelastography score utility in this respect, correlation of tumoral prognostic factors by sonoelastography score in patients be operated due to breast cancer was analyzed on our study. Pre-op sonoelastography results and tumoral hystopathological properties of 60 patients operated with a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2011 at Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine General Surgery Department were analyzed retrospectively. As an elastography scoring method, “Tsukuba scoring system” was used. Statistically significant differences(p?<?0,05) were determined between tumor grade and Ki-67 analyzed as prognostic factor with tumors reported as sonoelastography score 4 and score 5, on the other hand there were no statistically significant differences between tumor size, positivity of axillary lymph nodes, significance of lymphovascular invasion, p-53 positivity, CerbB-2 positivity, hormone receptor positivity, tumor hysthologic type and applied surgical technique between tumors reported as elastography score 4 and score 5. (p?>?0.005). Foresee ability of prognostic factors correlation by sonoelastography score will be guide way for the choice of surgery technique, determination of adjuvant therapy and patient follow-up.     

A multicenter report of biologic agents for the treatment of secondary amyloidosis in Turkish rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients

In this multicenter, retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of biologic therapies, including anti-TNFs, in secondary (AA) amyloidosis patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, the frequency of secondary amyloidosis in RA and AS patients in a single center was estimated. Fifty-one AS (39M, 12F, mean age: 46.7) and 30 RA patients (11M, 19F, mean age: 51.7) with AA amyloidosis from 16 different centers in Turkey were included. Clinical and demographical features of patients were obtained from medical charts. A composite response index (CRI) to biologic therapy—based on creatinine level, proteinuria and disease activity—was used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. The mean annual incidence of AA amyloidosis in RA and AS patients was 0.23 and 0.42/1000 patients/year, respectively. The point prevalence in RA and AS groups was 4.59 and 7.58/1000, respectively. In RA group with AA amyloidosis, effective response was obtained in 52.2 % of patients according to CRI. RA patients with RF positivity and more initial disease activity tended to have higher response rates to therapy (p values, 0.069 and 0.056). After biologic therapy (median 17 months), two RA patients died and two developed tuberculosis. In AS group, 45.7 % of patients fulfilled the criteria of good response according to CRI. AS patients with higher CRP levels at the time of AA diagnosis and at the beginning of anti-TNF therapy had higher response rates (p values, 0.011 and 0.017). During follow-up after anti-TNF therapy (median 38 months), one patient died and tuberculosis developed in two patients. Biologic therapy seems to be effective in at least half of RA and AS patients with AA amyloidosis. Tuberculosis was the most important safety concern.