Retention of fiber posts to the optimally and over-prepared dowel spaces

PURPOSE: To assess the retention of glass fiber post cemented with self-adhesive resin cement into optimum and over-prepared root canals following obturation in the presence of either eugenol (EB) or calcium hydroxide (CB)-based sealers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Roots of extracted premolars were endodontically-treated in 5 groups (n = 10). Roots of Group 1 (control) were left with no obturation and then optimally prepared to receive endodontic dowels. Other root canals were obturated with gutta-percha in the presence of either eugenol-based (Groups 2 and 4) or calcium hydroxide-based (Groups 3 and 5) sealer. Dowel spaces were prepared with optimal diameter in Groups 2 and 3, one size larger in Groups 4 and 5. Standardized fiber posts were luted to the prepared spaces using self-adhesive resin cement and itsretention was then tested on an universal testing machine. Both one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD comparisons (alpha=0.05) were used to identifythe significance of inter-group retention differences. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of both optimally and over-prepared dowel spaces was also considered to figure the nature of their interior out. RESULTS: The post retention was significantly higher to the non-obturated, optimally-prepared dowel spaces of Group 1 compared to the obturated, optimally-prepared ones of Groups 2 and 3. For each dowel space diameter, root canals obturated using CB of Groups 3 and 5 showed significantly higher dowel retention compared to those obturated using EB of Groups 2 and 4. Post retention to the over-prepared dowel spaces of Groups 4 and 5 was significantly higher than that recorded for the optimally-prepared ones of Groups 1-3. SEM images revealed traces of endodontic sealer and gutta-percha on the walls of the optimally-prepared dowel spaces. CONCLUSION: Despite the adverse effect of endodontic sealers on the retention of fiber posts, the over-preparation of dowel spaces helps to improve the retention.

Assessment of Muscle Fatigue Associated with Prolonged Standing in the Workplace

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the psychological fatigue and analyze muscle activity of production workers who are performing processes jobs while standing for prolonged time periods. METHODS: The psychological fatigue experienced by the workers was obtained through questionnaire surveys. Meanwhile, muscle activity has been analyzed using surface electromyography (sEMG) measurement. Lower extremities muscles include: erector spinae, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius were concurrently measured for more than five hours of standing. Twenty male production workers in a metal stamping company participated as subjects in this study. The subjects were required to undergo questionnaire surveys and sEMG measurement. RESULTS: Results of the questionnaire surveys found that all subjects experienced psychological fatigue due to prolonged standing jobs. Similarly, muscle fatigue has been identified through sEMG measurement. Based on the non-parametric statistical test using the Spearman's rank order correlation, the left erector spinae obtained a moderate positive correlation and statistically significant (rs = 0.552, p < 0.05) between the results of questionnaire surveys and sEMG measurement. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, the authors concluded that prolonged standing was contributed to psychological fatigue and to muscle fatigue among the production workers.

Bilateral versus posterior injection of botulinum toxin in the internal anal sphincter for the treatment of acute anal fissure

comparison of bilateral versus posterior injection of botulinum toxin in the internal anal sphincter for treatment of acute anal fissure and prevention of chronicity. Forty patients with acute anal fissure were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group I patients were treated by injecting 20 units of Botulinum toxin on each lateral side of the internal anal sphincter. Group II patients were treated by injecting 25 units of Botulinum toxin in the midline posteriorly. Mean period for complete pain relief was 8.45 +/- 7.41 days in group I and 7.20 +/- 7.19 days in group II. Mean time of healing was 5.20 +/- 1.85 weeks in group I and 5.40 +/- 2.01 weeks in group II. Two patients [10%] in group I and 3 patients [15%] in group II showed partial healing. Fissure recurred to 4 patients [20%] in group I and 3 patients [15%] in group II. Botulinum toxin injection is effective in treating acute anal fissure and preventing chronicity. A single posterior injection is easier, less painful and as effective as bilateral injection in pain relief

Long-term clinical and manometric comparison between surgical and chemical sphincterotomy for treatment of chronic anal fissure

Comparison between surgical and chemical sphincterotomy for treatment of chronic anal fissure. 160 patients were equally randomly divided into 4 groups treated by: lateral internal sphincterotomy [Group], local Diltiazem ointment [Group[22]], local Glyceryl trinitrate ointment [Group[222]], or injection of Botulinum toxin into the internal anal sphincter [Group 2V]. Anal manometry was measured before and 3 months after treatment. Patients were followed up for 5 years. Mean time for complete pain relief was 5.68 +/- 7.77 days [Group I], 15.7 +/- 5.87 days [Group II], 15.6 +/- 5.90 days [Group III] and 2.67 +/- 3.60 days [Group IV]. Mean healing time was 4.48 +/- 1.20 weeks [Group I], 5.12 +/- 1.13 weeks [Group II], 5.00 +/- 1.12 weeks [Group III] and 5.06 +/- 1.31 weeks [Group IV]. Mean resting and squeeze anal pressures decreased significantly after sphincterotomy. Recurrence rate was 10% in Group I, 65% in Group II, 57.5% in Group III and 52.5% in Group IV. Lateral internal sphincterotomy is easy and satisfactory, with minimal complications and recurrence. Medical sphincterotomy is safe, and easy, with mild complications. Its effect is reversible. Relapse after it is common. It is worth trial before surgery or in patients that cannot or unwilling to undergo surgery

Combined transurethral prostatectomy and inguinal hernioplasty

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the combination of TURP and inguinal hernia repair with VyproII mesh in order to assess its safety, reliability and effectiveness in comparison with the patients undergoing TURP and hernioplasty sequentially. Thirty patients were randomly categorized into 2 groups through computer randomization program. Group I included 15 patients operated by TURP and inguinal hernioplasty in same session. Group II included 15 patients operated by TURP followed by inguinal hernioplasty in separate sessions. Mean operative time was 84.6 +/- 23.4 minutes in group I versus 95.5 +/- 15.3 minutes in group II. Mean hospitalization time was 3.07 +/- 0.46 days in group I and 4.07 +/- 0.59 days in group II. No significant increase in the complication rates was seen when the TURP and inguinal hernioplasty operations performed together. Hernia recurrence did not occur in either group. Hospitalization cost reduced by 26% on doing the two operations on the same session. Numerical patient satisfaction score 3 months after surgery was 8.87 +/- 0.99 for Group I patients versus 7.80 +/- 0.94 for Group II patients. We concluded that, Combined TURP and inguinal hernioplasty is a practical, safe and effective operative procedure that can reduce hospitalization cost. It allows patients to undergo only one anesthetic procedure, hospital admission and convalescence