Is revascularization of immature permanent teeth an effective and reproducible technique?

BACKGROUND: Revascularization has been proposed as an improved alternative treatment for irreversibly damaged pulp of immature teeth as it has been shown to preserve the potential for continued root growth in treated teeth. AIM: To review clinical cases of revascularization in humans to evaluate their utility and reproducibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A structured electronic search of scientific articles published between 2001 and 2014 was carried out using the following keywords: 'pulp revascularization', 'pulp revitalization' and/or 'immature tooth'. Clinical revascularization cases conducted on human subjects were selected, reviewed and organized into two charts including patient information, diagnostic information, treatment and results in follow-up visits. RESULTS: Ninety-seven of 101 teeth (96.0%) were successfully treated with the revascularization technique. The range of technique variations available for irrigation, disinfection and blood clot induction have a negligible impact on the clinical outcome variables tested in our analysis. During the follow-up visits, apical closure was detected in fewer cases (55.4%) as compared to the other apexogenesis phenomena (increased root length, 76.2%; increased root width, 79.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The review shows that the revascularization technique showed marked increase in the root length, width and apical closure in the cases that were reported independently of clinical variables such as operator and material selection and individual differences in protocols.

Accelerated two- and three-dimensional cine MR imaging of the heart by using a 32-channel coil.

PURPOSE: To compare accelerated real-time two-dimensional (2D) and segmented three-dimensional (3D) cine steady-state free precession magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques by using a 32-channel coil with a conventional 2D cine imaging approach for imaging the heart and to evaluate any difference caused by free breathing and breath holding for real-time imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant study, 10 healthy volunteers and 22 consecutive patients who were suspected of having or were known to have heart disease underwent cardiac MR imaging by using a 32-channel coil. A conventional multisection 2D real-time cine sequence was used as the reference standard, and three additional accelerated cine sequences were implemented. Volumetric parameters, including ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume(SV), and myocardial mass, were derived. Wall motion and image quality were assessed by two radiologists. In addition, image time was registered. An additional set of images was acquired by using real-time sequences with free breathing, and quantitative measurements were compared with measurements on images obtained with breath holding. For quantitative analysis, repeated-measures analysis of variance, paired t test, and Bland-Altman analysis were used; for qualitative analysis, nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used. RESULTS: All volumetric measurements were significantly correlated with those of the standard sequence (r > 0.80, P < .01). No significant difference among protocols was observed in terms of mean levels for EF or ESV (P > .05). However, a significant difference was indicated for EDV and SV (P < .01).The accelerated protocols had significantly shorter image times (P < .001). Wall motion scores were concordant with the standard sequence in 43-44 (93%-96%) segments for the accelerated protocols, with a strong interreader agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient, > or =0.93). No significant difference was identified between real-time protocols with free breathing and those with breath holding for measurement of volumetric parameters. CONCLUSION: Accelerated real-time 2D and segmented 3D cine techniques are comparable to the standard clinical protocol in assessment of left ventricular global and regional parameters in substantially shorter image times.

Chromatic cues to trap the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis.

Various colors have been used as visual cues to trap insect pests. For example, yellow traps for monitoring and control of the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) have been in use for a very long time. However, the chromatic cue of using color traps has never been meticulously investigated. In this study, the spectral sensitivities of the photoreceptors in the compound eyes of B. dorsalis were measured intracellularly, and the theory of receptor quantum catch was applied to study the chromatic cue of fly attracting. Responses to five wavelength categories with peak wavelengths of 370, 380, 490, and 510 nm, and one with dual peaks at 350 and 490 nm were recorded. Based on spectral sensitivities, six colored papers were chosen to test the color preference of the fly, and an additional UV preference test was done to confirm the effect of the UV stimuli. It was concluded that UV and green stimuli (spectra: 300-380 nm and 500-570 nm) would enhance the attractiveness of a colored paper to the oriental fruit fly, and blue stimuli (380-500 nm) would diminish the attractiveness.

A rare presentation of conjunctival myxoma with pain and redness: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Conjunctival myxoma is a type of rare, benign tumor of mesenchymal cells, with fewer than 30 reported cases in the English literature. It is mostly an isolated occurrence but can sometimes be associated with systemic diseases such as Carney complex or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is necessary in clinical practice to differentiate it from other similar lesions, such as amelanotic nevus, lymphangioma, myxoid liposarcoma, spindle-cell lipoma, myxoid neurofibroma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. CASE PRESENTATION: The usual presentation of conjunctival myxoma is a translucent, well-circumscribed, and painless conjunctival mass, but in this report we discuss an unusual case of conjunctival myxoma in a 47-year-old Taiwanese woman who presented initially with pain and redness. This atypical presentation complicated the diagnosis and the management at first. Surgical excision of the mass was performed. The mass was found to be a conjunctival myxoma. The patient subsequently underwent extensive evaluation but was found not to have any systemic diseases with known association with conjunctival myxoma. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we present a case of conjunctival myxoma in a 47-year-old Taiwanese woman. The initial presentation with pain and redness was atypical for conjunctival myxoma. The lesion was successfully managed with complete excisional biopsy.