Developing evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines of justification for radiographic examination after dental implant installation

Abstract Background This study aimed to develop evidence-based clinical imaging guidelines to assess the proper implant location following implant surgery and identify potential complications during follow-up. Methods The guideline development process employed an adaptation methodology in accordance with the Korean clinical imaging guidelines (K-CIG). Core (Ovid-Medline, Ovid-Embase, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and Guideline International Network) and domestic databases (KoreaMed, KMbase, and KoMGI) were searched used to retrieve guidelines, and two reviewers analyzed the retrieved articles. The articles were included in this review using well-established inclusion criteria. Results Our online search identified 66 articles, of which 3 were selected for the development of the guidelines. Consequently, based on these three guidelines, we formulated distinct recommendations regarding the appropriate imaging modalities that should be used following implant placement. Conclusions Conventional imaging (e.g., periapical or panoramic radiography) should be the first choice for assessing the implant following its placement and osseointegration. The metal artifacts in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) should be considered. However, CBCT is recommended for patients with sensory abnormalities following dental implant surgery to evaluate and identify the underlying cause of implant complications and to determine the appropriate treatment

Therapeutic effect of intraductal saline irrigation in chronic obstructive sialadenitis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intraductal irrigation using normal saline in chronic obstructive sialadenitis. Patients who had one of the following symptoms were recruited: pain, swelling, stiffness, and dry mouth. A total of 58 salivary glands in 33 patients were diagnosed as having sialadenitis using sialography and ultrasonography. The patients were divided into two groups (swelling group and dry mouth group), according to the major complaint. Repeated intraductal irrigation was performed on each gland. Difference of symptom severity evaluated using numerical rating scale (NRS), and ductal width measured using ultrasonography were compared between the two groups. The average NRS score was significantly decreased from 6.0 to 3.3 after 3–5 visits of intraductal irrigation (P < 0.05). The reduction in NRS was greater in the swelling group than in the dry mouth group, although the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. There was no change of ductal width before and after the irrigation. Intraductal irrigation according to this study method using normal saline is a simple treatment for the patients with chronic obstructive sialadenitis. It provides a conservative treatment option reducing the subjective symptoms

Potassium chloride elicits enhancement of bilobalide and Ginkgolides production by Ginkgo biloba cell cultures

This study investigated the ability of potassium chloride (KCl) to elicit the production of bilobalide (BB), ginkgolide A (GA) and ginkgolide B (GB) by Ginkgo biloba cell suspension cultures. The salt stress by KCl treatments increased production of BB, GA and GB in both suspended cells and cultured medium. Especially, treatment of KCl 800 mM of highest concentration was stimulated emission into cultured medium BB, GA and GB compounds accumulated in cells. Although KCl 800 mM severely inhibited cells growth, the maximum content of GA and GB in cells was obtained in the treatment of KCl 800 mM, which was 1.9 and 4.0 times higher than the control. These results thus suggest that salt stress can afford enhanced production of secondary metabolites by plant cell cultures

Correlation between spatial resolution and ball distortion rate of panoramic radiography

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between spatial resolution and ball distortion rate of panoramic radiography and to elucidate the minimum criterion for ball distortion rate, which is very relevant to clinical readability. Methods Horizontal and vertical spatial resolution and ball distortion rates were calculated in the same position, such as the incisor, premolar, molar, and temporomandibular joint area with various object depths corresponding to 48 mm. Three devices were evaluated. A region showing spatial resolution above the reference standard was selected, and the ball distortion rate corresponding to the same region was divided into horizontal and vertical phantom groups. The mean and standard deviation of the obtained ball distortion rates were calculated. Students t-test was used to statistically analyze the mean difference in ball distortion rates between vertical and horizontal phantom groups. Results In all devices, the horizontal line pair phantom, but not the vertical line pair phantom, was readable in all areas measured at the line pair value of at least 1.88 lp/mm. The line pair value tended to be higher toward the center and lower toward the outside. The ball distortion rate tended to decrease closer to the center and increased further away. In addition, ball distortion rates could not be measured at some areas as they were not recognized as balls due to the high degree of distortion at the outermost and innermost sides. The number of balls satisfying the reference value using the horizontal line pair phantom was 102 (mean of ball distortion rates, 20.98; standard deviation, 15.25). The number of balls satisfying the reference value using the vertical line pair phantom was 49 (mean of ball distortion rates, 16.33; standard deviation, 14.25). However, mean ball distortion rate was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions Image layer of panoramic radiography could be evaluated by the spatial resolution using horizontal and vertical line pair phantoms and by assessing ball distortion rates through a ball-type panorama phantom. A ball distortion rate of 20% could be used as a threshold to evaluate the image layer of panoramic radiography

Clinical and panoramic radiographic features of osteomyelitis of the jaw: A comparison between antiresorptive medication-related and medication-unrelated conditions

Purpose: This study was performed to analyze the clinical and imaging features of contemporary osteomyelitis (OM) and to investigate differences in these features on panoramic radiography according to patients&apos; history of use of medication affecting bone metabolism. Materials and Methods: The records of 364 patients (241 female and 123 male, average age 66.8 +/- 14.9 years) with OM were retrospectively reviewed. Panoramic imaging features were analyzed and compared between patients with medication-related OM (m-OM) and those with conventional, medication-unrelated OM (c-OM). Results: The age of onset of OM tended to be high, with the largest number of patients experiencing onset in their 70s. The 2 most frequent presumed causes were antiresorptive medication use (44.2%) and odontogenic origin (34.6%). On panoramic radiographs, a mix of osteolysis and sclerosis was the most common lesion pattern observed (68.6%). Sequestrum, extraction socket, and periosteal new bone formation were found in 143 (42.1%), 79 (23.2%), and 24 (7.1%) cases, respectively. The m-OM group exhibited sequestrum and extraction socket more frequently and displayed significantly higher mandibular cortical index values than the c-OM group. Conclusion: We observed some differences in imaging features as shown on panoramic radiography according to the history of antiresorptive medication use. This study may help elucidate the predictive imaging features of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.N

A sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary with masculinization in a premenarchal girl

A sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary is an extremely rare benign tumor; it usually is found during the second and third decades of life. Patients present with pelvic pain or a palpable abdominal mass. Hormonal effects such as masculinization are uncommon. Here, an 11-year old premenarchal girl presented with deepening of the voice. In addition, clitoromegaly and hirsutism with a male suprapubic hair pattern were observed. The laboratory findings showed that the testosterone level was elevated to 3.67 ng/mL, andostenedione to above 10 ng/mL, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate to 346 µg/dL and 17-hydroxy progesterone (17-OHP) to 11.28 ng/mL. The chromosome evaluation revealed a 46,XX female karyotype. An adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test was performed. The 17-OHP to cortisol ratio in 30 minutes was 0.045, which suggested a heterozygote for the 21-hydroxylase deficiency. However, the CYP21A2 gene encoding steroid 21-hydroxylase showed normal. The pelvic ultrasound showed a heterogeneous mass consisting of predominantly solid tissue in the pelvic cavity. The pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed an 8.9×6.2×6.6 cm mass of the left ovary. A left oophrectomy was performed and microscopic examination confirmed a sclerosing stromal tumor. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tumor was positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin, but negative for S-100 protein and cytokeratin. Following surgery, the hormone levels returned to the normal range and the hirsutism resolved

O2-tolerant CO dehydrogenase via tunnel redesign for the removal of CO from industrial flue gas

Ni???Fe carbon monoxide dehydrogenases (CODHs) are nearly diffusion-limited biocatalysts that oxidize CO. Their O2 sensitivity, however, is a major drawback for industrial applications. Here we compare the structures of a fast CODH with a high O2 sensitivity (ChCODH-II) and a slower CODH with a lower O2 sensitivity (ChCODH-IV) (Ch, Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans). Some variants obtained by simple point mutations of the bottleneck residue (A559) in the gas tunnel showed 61???148-fold decreases in O2 sensitivity while maintaining high turnover rates. The variant structure A559W showed obstruction of one gas tunnel, and molecular dynamics supported the locked position of the mutated side chain in the tunnel. The variant was exposed to different gas mixtures, from simple synthetic gas to sophisticated real flue from a steel mill. Its catalytic properties remained unchanged, even at high O2 levels, and the efficiency was maintained for multiple cycles of CO detoxification/regeneration