Color Comparison of Maxillary Primary Anterior Teeth and Various Composite Resins using a Spectrophotometer / 대한소아치과학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare the color of maxillary primary central incisors, lateral incisors, canines with the color of various composite resins using a spectrophotometer VITA Easyshade®V.One researcher measured the color of sound maxillary primary anterior teeth of 100 children aged 1 to 6 and specimens which were made by composite resins with a total of 10 types and 31 shades, and CIE L*, a*, b* values were obtained.There was no clinically recognizable color difference between the maxillary primary central and lateral incisors. However, the maxillary primary canines showed difference in color above the clinical acceptability threshold with the primary central and lateral incisors. These findings showed no significant color differences between men and women, and no significant color changes with age. A1 shade is the most common in all maxillary primary anterior teeth.Composite resins, which are thought to be similar to the color of maxillary primary anterior teeth were selected from 9 types of maxillary primary central incisors, 6 types of primary lateral incisors, 6 types of primary canines.

Investigation of the Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Buttons by Light Curing Using an Extended Optic Fiber / 대한소아치과학회지

The objective of this study is to analyze the shear bond strength of orthodontic buttons according to light tip distance and optic fiber diameter when an extended optic fiber was applied to the tip of a curing light unit.In this study, 315 extracted premolar teeth were divided into 3 groups. Orthodontic buttons were attached using no optic fibers (Group I), 3.0 mm diameter optic fibers (Group II), or 5.0 mm diameter optic fibers (Group III). Each group was divided into subgroups A - C (5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 mm light tip distance), respectively. Shear bond strength was then measured while varying the light tip distance.In group I, shear bond strength significantly decreased as the light tip distance increased. When the shear bond strength was evaluated according to the optic fiber diameter, no statistical significance was observed in group of 5.0 mm light tip distance. Compared with group IB, group IIIB showed significantly greater shear bond strength. Compared with group IC, all groups using 3.0 or 5.0 mm diameter optic fibers showed significantly greater shear bond strength.Therefore, when a curing light unit has poor accessibility, optic fibers with a large diameter should be considered.

Long-term Outcomes of Endoscopic Anti-reflux Surgery in Pediatric Patients with Vesicoureteral Reflux: Urinary Tract Infection, Renal Scarring, and Predictive Factors for Success

BACKGROUND: To report the long-term outcomes of endoscopic surgery (ES) in pediatric patients with vesicoureteral reflux in terms of success rate, urinary tract infection, and renal function. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 73 pediatric patients (110 ureters) who underwent ES for vesicoureteral reflux. Ultrasonography was performed 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively. Voiding cystourethrography was performed 3 months postoperatively and repeated after 1 year if vesicoureteral reflux persisted. Success was defined as the absence of reflux at the first voiding cystourethrography. Renal scans were performed at least 12 months postoperatively. Renal function deterioration was defined as a new scar or a greater than 5% decrease in function. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 24 (12–118) months. The overall success was 65.6%, while it was 78.9%, 87.0%, 62.5%, 37.5%, 66.7% for grades I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively. In multivariate analyses, significant predictive factors for success were vesicoureteral reflux grade (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; P < 0.001) and mound detection at the first postoperative ultrasonography (OR, 13.53; P < 0.001). Renal function deterioration was found in 8 (15.3%) ureters and was less common in those with successful surgeries than in those with failures (9.5% vs. 40.0%; P = 0.035). No significant predictive factor for renal function deterioration or urinary tract infection was found. CONCLUSION: Successful short-term outcomes of ES are expected in low-grade vesicoureteral reflux, especially when a mound is detected by postoperative ultrasonography. However, unpredictable long-term renal deterioration warrants continued follow-up.

Clinical photoacoustic imaging platforms

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a new promising medical imaging technology available for diagnosing and assessing various pathologies. PAI complements existing imaging modalities by providing information not currently available for diagnosing, e.g., oxygenation level of the underlying tissue. Currently, researchers are translating PAI from benchside to bedside to make unique clinical advantages of PAI available for patient care. The requirements for a successful clinical PAI system are; deeper imaging depth, wider field of view, and faster scan time than the laboratory-level PAI systems. Currently, many research groups and companies are developing novel technologies for data acquisition/signal processing systems, detector geometry, and an acoustic sensor. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art clinical PAI systems with three types of the imaging transducers: linear array transducer, curved linear array transducer, and volumetric array transducer. We will also discuss the limitations of the current PAI systems and describe latest techniques being developed to address these for further enhancing the image quality of PAI for successful clinical translation.

Implantable Bladder Sensors: A Methodological Review / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

The loss of urinary bladder control/sensation, also known as urinary incontinence (UI), is a common clinical problem in autistic children, diabetics, and the elderly. UI not only causes discomfort for patients but may also lead to kidney failure, infections, and even death. The increase of bladder urine volume/pressure above normal ranges without sensation of UI patients necessitates the need for bladder sensors. Currently, a catheter-based sensor is introduced directly through the urethra into the bladder to measure pressure variations. Unfortunately, this method is inaccurate because measurement is affected by disturbances in catheter lines as well as delays in response time owing to the inertia of urine inside the bladder. Moreover, this technique can cause infection during prolonged use; hence, it is only suitable for short-term measurement. Development of discrete wireless implantable sensors to measure bladder volume/pressure would allow for long-term monitoring within the bladder, while maintaining the patient's quality of life. With the recent advances in microfabrication, the size of implantable bladder sensors has been significantly reduced. However, microfabricated sensors face hostility from the bladder environment and require surgical intervention for implantation inside the bladder. Here, we explore the various types of implantable bladder sensors and current efforts to solve issues like hermeticity, biocompatibility, drift, telemetry, power, and compatibility issues with popular imaging tools such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. We also discuss some possible improvements/emerging trends in the design of an implantable bladder sensor.