Precisione nella determinazione della lunghezza di lavoro mediante localizzatori elettronici d’apice, radiologia digitale e prova visiva: presentazione di una nuova metodica sperimentale di indagine – uno studio ex-vivo. Exact determination of the working length by electronic apex locators, digital radiology, and visual test: presentation of a new experimental research strategy – an ex-vivo study.

Abstract Objectives: This study compared: 1) the accuracy of three different electronic apex locators (EALs) in detecting the apical foramen ex-vivo under clinical conditions; 2) the accuracy of digital radiography and EALs in determining the K-file position in the root canal; 3) the accuracy of two different radiographic planes; (4) the precision of #10, #15, and #20 K-files in electronic measurements; 5) the precision of EALs in relation to the dental anatomy classification (anterior, bicuspids, and molars). Materials and methods: The length of 101 extracted human teeth was measured with three different EALs (Endex, Propex II and Root ZX), with RVG and compared to the actual length. Experimental procedures were performed using an endodontic training kit (Pro-Train). Results: The statistical analysis showed that Endex and Propex II were more accurate than Root ZX in determining the working length (WL). The t-test showed no statistically significant difference of accuracy between the two radiographic planes examined. The t-test showed no significant difference between the three different K-file size measurements. EALs and RVG are less accurate in anterior teeth. Conclusions: To prevent overestimation of the root canal length using the EALs tested, 1 mm should be subtracted from the measurement on the ‘‘APEX’’ mark. Instrument sizes did not affect the accuracy of EALs. EALs showed to be more accurate in determining the WL than RVG. 2011 Societa` Italiana di Endodonzia. Published by Elsevier Srl. All rights reserved

Color Doppler imaging of the superior ophthalmic vein in patients with Graves' orbitopathy before and after treatment of congestive disease

OBJECTIVE: To compare superior ophthalmic vein blood flow parameters measured with color Doppler imaging in patients with congestive Graves' orbitopathy before and after treatment and in normal controls. METHODS: Twenty-two orbits from 12 patients with Graves' orbitopathy in the congestive stage and 32 orbits from 16 normal controls underwent color Doppler imaging studies. Color Doppler imaging was repeated after treatment in the group of patients with Graves' orbitopathy, which included orbital decompression in 16 orbits and corticosteroids in six orbits. The findings for each group were compared. RESULTS: In the group of orbits with congestive disease, superior ophthalmic vein flow was detected in 17 orbits (anteroposteriorally in 13 and in the opposite direction in four) and was undetectable in five. After treatment, superior ophthalmic vein flow was detected and anteroposterior in 21 and undetected in one orbit. In normals, superior ophthalmic vein flow was detected anteroposterior in 29 orbits and undetectable in three orbits, indicating a significant difference between groups. There was also a significant difference between controls and congestive Graves' orbits and between congestive orbits before and after treatment, but not between controls and patients after treatment. A comparison of superior ophthalmic vein flow parameters revealed a significant difference between the groups. The superior ophthalmic vein flow was significantly reduced in the congestive stage compared with the flow parameters following treatment and in the untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS: Superior ophthalmic vein flow was significantly reduced in the orbits affected with congestive Graves' orbitopathy and returned to normal following treatment. Congestion appears to be a contributing pathogenic factor in the active inflammatory stage of Graves' orbitopathy.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Preoperative distraction in children: hand-held videogames vs clown therapy.

Anxiety in children undergoing surgery is characterized by feelings of tension, apprehension, nervousness and fear which may manifest differently. Postoperative behavioural changes such as nocturnal enuresis, feeding disorders, apathy, and sleep disturbances may stem from postoperative anxiety. Some Authors pointed out that over 60% of children undergoing surgery are prone to developing behavioural alterations 2 weeks after surgery. Variables such as age, temperament and anxiety both in children and parents are considered predictors of such changes.1 Studies were published describing how psycho-behavioural interventions based on play, learning and entertainment in preparing children for surgery, may reduce preoperative anxiety. Clown-therapy is applied in the most important paediatric facilities and has proved to diminish children's emotional distress and sufferance, as well as consumption of both analgesics and sedatives and to facilitate the achievement of therapeutic goals. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of clown-therapy during the child's hospital stay, with a view to optimizing treatment and care, preventing behavioural alterations and enhancing the child's overall life quality

Prospective Teachers\u27 Use of Representations in Solving Statistical Tasks with Dynamic Statistical Software

This study examined a random stratified sample (n=62) of prospective teachers\u27 work across eight institutions on three tasks that utilized dynamic statistical software. Our work was guided by considering how teachers may utilize their statistical knowledge and technological statistical knowledge to engage in cycles of investigation. Although teachers did not tend to take full advantage of dynamic linking capabilities, they utilized a large variety of graphical representations and often added statistical measures or other augmentations to graphs as part of their analysis

Robotic-assisted thoracoscopy thymectomy for juvenile myasthenia gravis

Abstract Introduction Juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) is a rare debilitating and potentially fatal autoimmune disease, with unclearify pathogenesis. Surgical immunomodulation with thymectomy has been repeatedly demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment for JMG in both adult and pediatric patients. In the last few years, minimally invasive approach and above all robotic assisted thoracoscopy, replaced sternotomy which is widely used in adult patients. We report our experience in a case of robot-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy approach in a 12 years old boy for juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG). Case report Procedure was performed with the Da Vinci surgical robot (Xi) using left-sided approach. Left lung was kept out from mechanic ventilation. A 8 mm port for the 3-D camera was introduced on the V intercostal space on the anterior axillary line. Others two 8mm thoracic ports were placed under vision after the induction of a low-pressure pneumothorax, respectively on the midaxillary line on the III intercostal space and on the parasternal space on the V intercostal space. Bulk resection of gland was made using Maryland grasper and Harmonic scalpel, starting at level of the left pericardiophrenic angle and continuing cranially. Thymus was unstick from the posterior face of the sternum until the right pleura releasing lower thymic horns. After that, controlateral right-side thymectomy was continued into the neck to include the upper horns and finally it was removed with an endocatch bag. Histopathological examination showed a benign thymic hyperplasia. There were no perioperative and postoperative complications. The discharge was on IV post-operative day. After thymectomy, patient reported an improvement in symptoms and stopped medical therapy with pyridostigmine. Conclusions VATS and Robotic thoracoscopic thymectomy have increasingly taken hold in recent years. The surgical treatment offered to patient an improvement in clinical status. Surgery by robotic assistance has demonstrable advantages, including three-dimensional visualization and articulating instruments. Left lateral approach provided excellent visualization of the thymic veins, anonymous vases and phrenic nerves. Three-dimensional visualization as well as articulating arms greatly facilitated the dissection compared with standard thoracoscopic technique. In Literature very few series of robotic approach for surgical treatment of JMG in children are reported, for these reasons further studies are needed

Accuracy of three electronic apex locators compared with digital radiography: an ex vivo study

Introduction: This study compared (1) the accuracy of three different electronic apex locators (EALs) in detecting the apical foramen ex vivo under clinical conditions; (2) the accuracy of digital radiography and EALs in determining the working length (WL) with visible control under a microscope; and (3) the precision of #10, #15, and #20 K-files in electronic measurements. Methods: The length of 101 extracted human teeth was measured with three different EALs (Endex [Osada Electric Co, Tokyo, Japan], ProPex II [Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland], and Root ZX [J. Morita Co, Tustin, CA]), with radio videography (RVG) and compared with the actual length. An endodontic training kit (Pro-Train; Simit Dental, Mantova, Italy) was used during the experimental procedures. Results: Statistical analysis showed that Endex and ProPex II were more accurate than Root ZX in determining the WL. The paired sample t test showed no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of the two radiographic planes examined. The t test showed no significant difference between the three different K-file sizes measurements. Conclusions: Endex and ProPex II were more accurate than Root ZX in determining the actual WL. Instrument sizes of hand files did not affect the accuracy of EALs. EALs showed to be more accurate in determining the WL than RVG. (J Endod 2010;36:2003–2007

Autism spectrum disorder and anorexia nervosa: an Italian prospective study

Background: Potential overlaps exist between psychopathological features of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The impact of malnutrition on autistic traits in patients with AN should be considered. This study investigates possible associations among the psychopathology of Eating Disorders (EDs), ASD traits and BMI in a group of young patients with AN, using the EDI-3 (Eating Disorder Inventory-3) test and gold-standard measures for ASD. Methods: Prospective study involving 23 inpatients admitted to an Italian Centre for paediatric ED. ASD traits and ED psychopathology were assessed administering the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2), AQ (Autism Quotient) and EDI-3 tests. Both present and past autistic traits were investigated using different versions of AQ. Correlations were adjusted for BMI, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) comorbidity and concurrent antipsychotic treatments. Results: An ASD diagnosis was possible in 22% of patients. Significant correlations were documented between ASD traits and ED psychopathology: AQ total-Interpersonal problems (IPC) (p = 0.041); AQ total-Global psychological maladjustment (GMPC) (p = 0.027); AQ social skills-Ineffectiveness (IC) (p = 0.018); AQ social skills-IPC (p = 0.019); AQ social skills-Affective problems (APC) (p = 0.025); AQ social skills-GMPC (p = 0.007); AQ attention switching-IPC (p = 0.020); ADOS-2 imagination-IC (p = 0.035). These correlations were independent of BMI, OCD and antipsychotic treatments. Conclusions: ASD traits presented high prevalence in a group of young inpatients with AN. These traits were significantly correlated to 4 specific EDI-3 subscales and independent of BMI. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between ASD traits as measured with gold-standard measures, EDI-3 scores, and BMI

Missouri 2011 Corn Performance Tests

This report is published by the MU Variety Testing Program, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri. The work was supported by fees provided by companies submitting hybrids for evaluation. The University of Missouri's hybrid performance testing program began in the mid-1930s, with results first published in 1937. The number of entries in the program has grown from fewer than 50 in the early years to more than 250 today. The large number of commercial hybrids available makes selection of a superior hybrid difficult. To select intelligently, producers need a reliable, unbiased, up-to-date source of information that will permit valid comparisons among available hybrids. The objective of the MU Variety Testing Program is to provide this information