Biological data from post mortem analysis of otters in Hungary

In this paper we examined the characteristics of reproduction parameters, stomach content and inner organ weights on carcasses (male, n=67, female n=57, unknown n=3) of otters (Lutra lutra) collected in Hungary between 1999 and 2006. Most otter carcasses (90.6%) were collected as road casualties. In breeding females (n=28), the mean (±SE) number of placental scars was 2.22±0.17. One female was pregnant (3 embryos). Suckling were detected at four females, the number of active teats (2-4) equalling the number of placental scars. Reproduction period, calculated from the age of juveniles, was long (from winter to summer). No seasonal difference was found in the gonado-somatic index values of adult males, and births were estimated to have occurred from winter to summer. The stomach was empty in 31% of the cases, while mean weight of the stomach content was 49 g the main food eaten by otters was small-size, non-commercial fish. In the adult age group, the organ weight index of the kidneys (P<0.01) and adrenal glands (P<0.05) was greater in females, while in case of the other organs: heart, liver, spleen, tyroid glands and lungs no significant difference was found

Fracture Resistance of Compromised Endodontically Treated Teeth Restored with Bonded Post and Cores: An in Vitro Study

Statement of problem: It is unclear which post and core system performs best when bonded to severely compromised endodontically treated teeth. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the fracture resistance and mode of failure of severely compromised teeth restored with 3 different adhesively bonded post and core systems. Material and methods: Thirty extracted endodontically treated maxillary anterior teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups, CPC, gold cast post and core; TPC, titanium prefabricated post/composite resin core; and FPC, quartz fiber reinforced post/composite resin core. All posts were adhesively cemented. All cores resembled a central incisor preparation with no remaining tooth structure above the finish line. Cast gold crowns were fabricated and cemented adhesively. The specimens were aged with thermocycling and cyclic loading. Two specimens per group were randomly selected for micro-computed tomographic imaging before and after aging. Failure was induced with a universal testing machine. The mode of failure was characterized by the interface separation. Data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA (α=.05) followed by post hoc tests (Bonferroni). Results: A statistically significant difference was found among the 3 groups (P=.002). CPC was significantly different than TPC (P=.008) or FPC (P=.003). The primary mode of failure for CPC and TPC was root fracture, and for FPC post debonding. Conclusions: Severely compromised endodontically treated teeth restored with bonded gold cast post and cores showed significantly higher fracture resistance