Markers for the identification of late breast cancer recurrence

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited

Improvement of the efficacy of endodontic solvents by ultrasonic agitation

[Excerpt] The success rates of endodontic treatment can reach levels from 86% to 98% (Abitbol et al., 2003). However, apical periodontitis may still persist or develop after treatment due to various factors, namely coronal leakage, caries or fractures, thus enabling reinfection by microorganisms of the oral cavity or proliferation of microorganisms in persisting endodontic infections (Siqueira, 2001, Correia-Sousa et al., 2015, Melo et al., 2017). Endodontic retreatment aims to reduce the bacterial load to a level that enables periapical healing. Nevertheless, its outcome is poor – about 70.9–83% (Torabinejad et al., 2009, Ng et al., 2011). The cleanliness of root canals cannot be accurately assessed through conventional periapical radiography or magnifying devices, but residual gutta-percha is systematically found in micro-CT scans after retreatment (Oltra et al., 2017). Chloroform and xylene have been widely used as endodontic solvents but concerns about their toxicity and potential carcinogenic effect led to seeking alternatives (Tamse et al., 1986, Metzger et al., 2000, Vajrabhaya et al., 2004, Magalhaes et al., 2007). Essential oils, like eucalyptol or orange oil, are one of the most common alternative groups of solvents used to enhance the dissolution or softening of gutta-percha. However, although they are considered less toxic, they are also reported as less powerful (Zaccaro Scelza et al., 2006, Faria-Junior et al., 2011, Martos et al., 2011). Studies show that, despite all the currently available technology, it is still not possible to achieve the complete removal of the potentially infected filling materials, which prevents total debridement and effective bacteria control (Alves et al., 2016, Keles et al., 2016, Rossi-Fedele and Ahmed, 2017). Although solvents have been indicated to prevent complications, such as ledges or perforations, in retreatment procedures, the literature reports that their use may hinder the cleaning of the root canal (Horvath et al., 2009). Retreatment can be carried out with or without solvents, but professionals often prefer to remove gutta-percha mainly with instrumentation, even though this may be a longer and less predictable procedure (Sae-Lim et al., 2000, Khalilak et al., 2013). Thus, endodontic solvents have almost fallen out of use. A new insight on endodontic retreatment seems to be necessary. [...]- (undefined

Software Architectures and Multiple Variability

International audienceDuring the construction of software product lines, variability management is a crucial activity. A large number of software variants must be produced, in most cases, by using extensible architectures. In this chapter, we present the various applications of a set of modular management variability tools (FAMILIAR) for different forms of architecture (component-, service- and plug-in-based), and at different stages of the software life cycle. We discuss the lessons learnt from these studies and present guidelines for resolving recurring problems linked to multiple variability and to software architecture

Lymphangiosis carcinomatosa in squamous cell carcinomas of larynx and hypopharynx – value of conventional evaluation and additional immunohistochemical staining of D2-40

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent studies revealed a predictive value of lymphatic vessel invasion (L1) for the nodal metastasizing and poor prognosis in malignant tumors at different sites. The monoclonal antibody D2-40 (podoplanin) stains specifically endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels and improves the search for L1. However, the importance of this immunohistochemical staining was not investigated in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of larynx and hypopharynx.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>This study was performed to compare the diagnostic potential of convential and immunohistochemical determination of L1 in SCC of larynx and hypopharynx with special respect to the predictive value for nodal metastasizing and prognosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>119 SCCs of the larynx (n = 70) respectively hypopharynx (n = 49) were investigated. The lymphatic vessel invasion was assessed by conventional method (HE stain) and immunohistochemical staining with an antibody against D2-40 (DAKO, Germany). Immunohistochemistry was performed in accordance with manufacturer's protocol. L1 was searched microscopically in a standardized magnification (×200) in serial sections of tumor samples (1 section per cm tumor diameter).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The immunohistochemical investigation did not show significant advantages for the prediction of regional nodal metastases. Despite a low sensitivity (< 50%) in both methods, the specifity can reach 80%. The negative predictive value in both methods seems acceptable (up to 80%), whereas the positive predictive value is not higher than 64%. Cases with L1 detected either conventionally or immunohistochemically did not show a significant shorter survival than cases with L0. However, a non-significant shorter survival was found. Only in SCC of hypopharynx, a combination of both methods revealed patients with a significant worse prognosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The status of lymphatic vessel invasion should be documented in standardized tumor reports. A benefit of an additional immunohistochemical investigation was not found, for the daily routine HE-stain seems sufficient.</p