A comparative evaluation of endodontic practice trends in India: "The Mumbai study.

Introduction: Multiple treatment protocols are available to the Indian endodontist. Hence a survey is required to recognize the common trends in endodontics and set a basic standard of treatment. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this article is to present practice trends among Indian endodontists and compare the same with established practice trends internationally through various surveys that have been conducted respectively. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to 1085 endodontists in dental schools and private practice in India. A response rate of 42% was observed. The data was analyzed and compared with other studies. Results: Most of the endodontists in India follow the basic protocols and techniques in their practices. 40% of the Endodontists preferred digital radiography technique. 2.5% NaOCl is the most preferred irrigant of choice for primary root canal treatment and 2% chlorhexidine in retreatment cases. Calcium hydroxide was the most preferred intracanal medicament in all clinical situations. Lateral compaction (70.8%) was the most widely used method. AH Plus was the most preferred root canal sealer (46.6%). Conclusion: Indian endodontists are following the basic protocol but when compared to other studies there were concepts like, the use of rubber dam and microscope which need to be improved and raised to a level that ensures international standards in clinical practice.

Comparative Evaluation of Hystero-Salpingography and Laparoscopy For Determination of Tubal Patency.

Objective: To find out whether Hysterosalpigography (HSG), can be used as initial method for assessing tubal factor of infertility, instead of more invasive method like diagnostic laparoscopy. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 75 cases, who had attended infertility Clinic at Medical College, Ujjain, and underwent HSG as initial test followed by Laparoscopy from November 2005 to December 2010. Results: Primary infertility was the major cause of tubal factor of infertility (75%) and majority of women were between 20-25 years (60%). In comparison to laparoscopy, HSG has 80.8% sensitivity & 100% specificity for determination of tubal patency. HSG also has a high sensitivity (100%) for determination of unilateral or bilateral blockage with specificity of 100% & 85.3% respectively. HSG can detect only endo-tubal and intrauterine pathology, whereas laparoscopy can detect pelvic pathology. Conclusion: HSG should be used as initial test to assess tubal patency whereas laparoscopy should be limited to selected cases.

Biocompatibility of root-end filling materials: recent update

The purpose of a root-end filling is to establish a seal between the root canal space and the periradicular tissues. As root-end filling materials come into contact with periradicular tissues, knowledge of the tissue response is crucial. Almost every available dental restorative material has been suggested as the root-end material of choice at a certain point in the past. This literature review on root-end filling materials will evaluate and comparatively analyse the biocompatibility and tissue response to these products, with primary focus on newly introduced materials.

Análisis comparativo de la sensibilidad del escáner rSPECT usando GAMOS: nueva interfaz de Geant4 / Comparative analysis of the scanner rSPECT sensitivity: using GAMOS a newGeant4-based framework

La obtención de imágenes moleculares de procesos celulares in vivo mediante estudios preclínicos con animales y técnica SPECT constituye una de las razones fundamentales para el diseño de nuevos dispositivos con resolución espacial mínima. Como herramienta auxiliar, la simulación vía Monte Carlo ha permitido la caracterización y optimización de dichos sistemas de imagen médica de manera efectiva. Actualmente, se cuenta con una nueva plataforma de simulación llamada GAMOS (GEANT4-based Architecture for Medicine-Oriented Simulations); herramienta, cuyo código, librerías y método de transporte de partículas corresponden a los desarrollados por GEANT4, la cual contiene aplicaciones específicas de medicina nuclear. Esta herramienta ha sido validada mediante comparación con datos experimentales para la técnica PET, no siendo así con la técnica SPECT. El presente trabajo demuestra las potencialidades de GAMOS para generar datos simulados realistas con este tipo de técnica de imagen nuclear. Para ello se realizó la simulación de una instalación novedosa, "rSPECT", dedicada al estudio con roedores que fue previamente validada experimentalmente. El estudio comprendió las geometrías de colimación y detección, así como las características fundamentales de las mediciones experimentales publicadas para la instalación rSPECT: estudios con 99mTc y una ventana energética del 20%. Los valores de sensibilidad obtenidos mediante simulación mostraron coincidencia aceptable con los valores experimentales. Se concluye que la simulación muestra buena concordancia con los datos reales lo que permite estimar el comportamiento de la nueva plataforma de simulación de GEANT4 "GAMOS" en aplicaciones SPECT y demuestra, que es factible la reproducción de sus datos experimentales.

The molecular imaging of in vivo cellular processes using preclinical animal studies and SPECT technique is one of the main reasons for the design of new devices with high spatial resolution. As an auxiliary tool, Monte Carlo simulation has allowed the effective characterization and optimization of those medical imaging systems. At present there is a new simulation framework called GAMOS (GEANT4-based Architecture for Medicine-Oriented Simulations); which code, libraries and particle transport method correspond to those developed by GEANT4 and contains specific applications for nuclear medicine. This tool has been already validated for PET technique by comparison with experimental data, while not yet been done the correct evaluation of GAMOS for SPECT systems. Present work have demonstrated the potential of GAMOS in obtaining simulated realistic data using this nuclear imaging technique. For this purpose, simulation of a novel installation "rSPECT", devote to study rodents, has been done. The study comprises the collimation and detection geometries and the fundamental characteristics of the previuos published experimental measurements for rSPECT installation. Studies have been done using 99mTc and 20% energy window. Sensitivity values obtained by simulation revealed an acceptable agreement with experimental values. Therefore we can conclude that simulation results have shown good agreement with the real data. This fact allowed us to estimate the behavior of the new GEANT4 simulation platform "GAMOS" in SPECT applications and have demonstrated the feasibility of reproducing experimental data.

Radiographic Evaluation on the Forefoot: Based on the Two Different Data (1982 and 2004) / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We compared the bony arrangements of the forefoot in 2 different years, 1982 and 2004, to determine any changes with time period of 22 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiographs of 200 normal Korean adults, 100 male and 100 female volunteers, were evaluated both in 1982 and 2004. The radiographic results were evaluated with as follows; hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges. The mean ages were 38 years (23-52years) in 1982, and 37 years (24-50years) in 2004. RESULTS: The mean of HVA decreased from 15.6 degrees in 1982 to 14.3 degrees in 2004 (p=0.047), and the mean of IMA increased from 8.0 degrees in 1982 to 9.4 degrees in 2004 (p=0.031). The morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges were not different between the two study years. CONCLUSION: Comparing with those of 1982 measurements, we found an increase of IMA and a decrease of HVA. A prospective study may be needed to illuminate course of the changes.

Radiographic Evaluation on the Forefoot: Based on the Two Different Data (1982 and 2004) / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: We compared the bony arrangements of the forefoot in 2 different years, 1982 and 2004, to determine any changes with time period of 22 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiographs of 200 normal Korean adults, 100 male and 100 female volunteers, were evaluated both in 1982 and 2004. The radiographic results were evaluated with as follows; hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges. The mean ages were 38 years (23-52years) in 1982, and 37 years (24-50years) in 2004. RESULTS: The mean of HVA decreased from 15.6 degrees in 1982 to 14.3 degrees in 2004 (p=0.047), and the mean of IMA increased from 8.0 degrees in 1982 to 9.4 degrees in 2004 (p=0.031). The morphology of metatarsal head and relative anterior protrusion of the metatarsals and the phalanges were not different between the two study years. CONCLUSION: Comparing with those of 1982 measurements, we found an increase of IMA and a decrease of HVA. A prospective study may be needed to illuminate course of the changes.