Influence Of Post Space Preparation On The Marginal Integrity Of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), A Root End Restoration: An In Vitro Study

The aim of this study was to compare and evaluated the influence of post space preparation on the marginal integrity of MTA root end restoration. Methodology: 60 Freshly extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were collected, and decoronated to obtain a uniform root length of 14mm. Cleaning, shaping and obturation of root canals was performed. These teeth were then randomly divided into three groups of twenty each. In Group I, post space preparation was followed by retrograde preparation and restoration by MTA. In Group II, firstly root end cavity preparation and restoration was done. Post space preparation was done after the completion of above procedures. Group III, served as positive control. These samples were covered with fingernail polish and immersed in 0.2% rhodamine B dye for 48 hours. The specimens were sectioned longitudinally using a diamond disc to measure dye penetration under stereomicroscope. Results revealed that, Group I, showed minimum mean dye penetration of 52.50 µm whereas the mean leakage scores observed in Group II i.e of 1087.50. Conclusion: The post space should be prepared before the root end surgery

Clinical profile of dementia and its association with homocysteine.

Background & Objectives : Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. This cross sectional study was undertaken to study clinical profile of dementia and its association with plasma homocysteine levels. Methods : 30 patients (indoor or outdoor) > 55 years with dementia were screened on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale. A clinical dementia rating questionnaire was asked and plasma homocysteine levels measured by ELISA using Bio-rad reagents. Data was collected and statistically analyzed. Results : There was a statistically significant correlation between loss of memory (p = 0.047), orientation (p = 0.038), judgement/problem solving (p = 0.048), outer (p = 0.042), household (p = 0.048) and personal care activity (p = 0.0099) with hyperhomocysteinemia. A statistically significant correlation was found between CDR (p = 0.0081) and MMSE (p = 0.0095) score with hyperhomocysteinemia. Interpretation & Conclusion : A significant correlation was seen between memory loss, worsening of cognitive dementia, limitation of household activity, worsening of personal care, impairment of judgment and problem solving with hyperhomocysteinemia. As hyperhomocysteinemia can be effectively treated with a low cost therapy of B vitamin supplements, it is important to recognize these problems and treat them early.

Isaac's syndrome associated with myasthenia gravis and thymoma.

A 65-year-old male developed fatigable weakness of ocular and bulbar muscle and positive anti-acetyl cholinesterase antibodies suggesting the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. His condition responded to anticholinesterase and immunotherapy. However, 18 months later, he developed painful paresthesiae, muscle cramps with hyperhiderosis, and was diagnosed as having Isaac's syndrome (neuromyotonia, continuous muscle fibre activity). Computed tomography of the chest revealed a thymic mass, which was confirmed after surgery and histopathology as thymic cell carcinoma. The co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis and continuous muscle fiber activity should prompt the consideration of the occurrence of these disorders as one of the paraneoplastic manifestations, most often due to a thymic neoplasm. Both these conditions respond to treatment of underlying thymoma. This case is a very rare presentation worth reporting.

Landry-Guillaine-Barré syndrome as presentation of celiac disease.

Celiac disease has been associated with a variety of neurological illnesses, most frequently cerebellar ataxia and peripheral neuropathy. We report presentation as Landry-Guillaine-Barré syndrome in a 28-year-old woman with previously unsuspected celiac disease.