Classification and cyclic fatigue evaluation of new kinematics for endodontic instruments

This study evaluated the effect of new motions of the motor TriAuto ZX2 on the cyclic fatigue of endodontic instruments. Vortex Blue 35.06 instruments were divided into four groups (n = 10) and tested for fatigue in a curved artificial canal (90° and 2 mm radius) using the following motions: continuous rotation (CR), Optimum Torque Reverse (OTR) set at 180° and the Optimum Glide Path (OGP), which was tested at 90° and 240°. The time to fracture (TTF) and the lengths of the fractured fragments were recorded. The mean TTF was significantly different among the groups (anova , P < 0.05): OGP 90° (213.39 ± 27.45), OTR 180° (121.24 ± 17.03), OGP 240° (45.24 ± 5.61) and CR (8.43 ± 1.27). Weibull analysis confirmed the shortest life expectancy for CR and the longest survival for OGP at 90°. The resistance to fatigue was affected by motions and pre‐set angles. The proprietary movements that are currently available for endodontic instruments were classified according to their kinematics.     

Nephrotic syndrome in a mother and her infant: relationship with cytomegalovirus infection

This case report describes infantile nephrotic syndrome (NS) in a baby girl with a clinically severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Culture of the baby's urine was positive for CMV and IgM anti-CMV antibodies were detected. After an unsuccessful course of corticosteroids, gancyclovir treatment was started and a remission of cutaneous, pulmonary, and renal symptoms was achieved. As the mother also developed NS at the end of pregnancy, a common etiology could be postulated, although there were no signs of recent CMV infection in the mother, only anti-CMV IgG. The relationship between CMV infection and glomerular disease is still unclear: NS may represent another manifestation of CMV disease.     

Symptom profile of DSM-IV major and minor depressive disorders in first-ever stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: Depressive disorders are very common in stroke patients. However, vegetative and cognitive symptoms primarily derived from brain damage could hypothetically be indistinguishable from those directly derived from neuropsychiatric disorders, and this could invalidate the diagnostic assessment. Thus, authors aimed to detect the frequency of clinically-rated DSM-IV depressive symptoms and the diagnostic validity of depressive disorders in stroke patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), minor depressive disorder (MIND), and those free of any neuropsychiatric disorders (NODEP). METHODS: First-ever stroke patients (N=200) were approached within 3 months of the acute stroke and were interviewed with the SCID-P and administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Barthel Index, and the Mini-Mental State Exam. RESULTS: Fifty patients (25%) had MDD, 62 (31%) had MIND, and 88 (44%) had NODEP. Global cognitive level, functional impairment, total scores, and psychic and somatic subscores of the Ham-D and the BDI were different among the three groups. The only symptom that did not differ among patients with MDD, MIND, and NODEP was Feelings of Guilt; all the other eight DSM-IV symptoms were significantly different. In particular, the frequency of Depressed Mood, Diminished Interest or Pleasure, Fatigue or Loss of Energy, Insomnia, and Psychomotor Agitation/Retardation was higher in MIND patients than in NODEP patients. CONCLUSIONS: During the diagnostic procedure for depressive disorders in stroke patients, clinicians should consider equally important vegetative, cognitive, and psychological depressive symptoms, despite their nature.     

Enzymuria in carboplatin nephrotoxicity

Urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) is an early marker of nephrotoxicity. NAG activity was assayed by the fluorimetric method of Leaback and Walker in 17 patients treated (22 courses) with carboplatin (CBDCA, 220-550 mg/m2) before infusion and 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after. Increased excretion of NAG, a sensitive index of renal tubular damage, was observed following 10 of the 22 courses. A transient increase in plasma creatinine and/or abnormal proteinuria was observed in 6 cases. Impaired renal function prior to therapy seems to be a predisposing factor to the nephrotoxicity.     

Mortality study of asbestos cement workers

The present study describes cause-specific mortality of asbestos cement workers in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. The cohort included workers in ten factories, most of which started operating between 1955 and 1965. Asbestos, mainly chrysotile, constituted 10%–20% of the dry component of the mixture. Crocidolite range between 5% and 50% of total asbestos. Asbestos concentrations up to 44 ff/cc were reported prior to 1975, while in recent years they have usually been below 0–1 ff/cc. The cohort included 3341 workers who had at some time been employed in the ten factories under study. Their mortality experience was compared with that of the population resident in Emilia Romagna. Vital status was ascertained at 1989. Seventy-three subjects were lost to followup (2.2%). Mortality from all causes and from all types of cancer was increased in the cohort. Malignant neoplasms of the respiratory tract showed a significant increase (SMR: 134; 90% confidence interval: 101–175; 40 observed) due to lung cancer (SMR: 124; 90% confidence interval: 91–166; 33 observed) and neoplasms of the pleura, mediastinum, and other parts of the respiratory tract (SMR: 602; 90% confidence interval 237–1267; 5 observed). The discrepancy between observed and expected mortality mainly concerned subjects with at least 20 years of employment in the factories. Five more cases of histologically confirmed mesothelioma occurred after the end of follow-up.     

Chronic peritoneal dialysis in paediatrics: Experience of a national registry

The results of the first 3 year' collaboration of the Italian Registry of Paediatric Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (CPD) (1986–1988) are presented. This Registry acquired data on the majority of the paediatric patients treated with CPD in Italy, thus providing a national picture in a field where few nationwide surveys are available. Patients of less than 15 years of age at the start of dialysis were enrolled and clinical data collected until the age of 19 years. The number of nephrological paediatric centres participating in the Registry increased from 7 in 1986 to 11 in 1988. The total number of patients on CPD was 70 and the percentage of dialysed children treated with CPD ranged from 40.2% to 43.6%. Data on 89 peritoneal catheters were collected: during 1417 dialysis-months 70 catheter-related complications were observed (1:20.8 dialysis-months); actuarial catheter survival was 92.7% at 6 months, 84.8% at 1 year and 68.8% at 2 years. The incidence of peritonitis changed from 1 episode every 10.9 patient-months in 1986 to 1 every 19.8 in 1988. Abdominal hernias were the other main clinical complication observed. The survival of patients was 92.5% at 3 years, while the technique survival at the same time was 84%.