Imaging of Cardiac Fibrosis: How Far Have We Moved From Extracellular to Cellular?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Myocardial fibrosis plays an important role in adverse outcomes such as heart failure and arrhythmias. As the pathological response and degree of scarring, and therefore clinical presentation varies from patient to patient, early detection of fibrosis is crucial for identifying the appropriate treatment approach and forecasting the progression of a disease along with the likelihood of disease-related mortality. Current imaging modalities provides information about either decreased function or extracellular signs of fibrosis. Targeting activated fibroblasts represents a burgeoning approach that could offer insights prior to observable functional alterations, presenting a promising focus for potential anti-fibrotic therapeutic interventions at cellular level. In this article, we provide an overview of imaging cardiac fibrosis and discuss the role of different advanced imaging modalities with the focus on novel non-invasive imaging of activated fibroblasts.

Effect of eugenol-containing and resin endodontic sealers on retention of prefabricated metal posts cemented with zinc phosphate and resin cements.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two endodontic sealers on the retention of posts cemented with zinc phosphate or resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crowns of 72 mandibular premolars were removed at the cementoenamel junction. Root canals were prepared and specimens were randomly divided into two groups of 36. In each group, 12 specimens were obturated with gutta percha only; 12 specimens with gutta percha/ZOE sealer and 12 specimens with gutta percha/AH26. In the first group, 10mm Post spaces were prepared with Peeso reamers size 4 and, size 5 stainless steel Paraposts were cemented in with zinc phosphate. In the second group, 10mm Post spaces were prepared with Fiber Lux size 5.5 drills and size 5 Paraposts were cemented with Panavia F2.0. After mounting in resin blocks, posts were pulled out by universal testing machine at 1mm/min and results were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Dunnett test. RESULTS: Mean forces (in Newtons) required to remove posts cemented with zinc phosphate in canals obturated without sealer, with ZOE, and with AH26 sealers were 270±83, 281±128 and 266±67, respectively; and for posts cemented with Panavia F2.0 were 520±290, 464±212 and 229±108, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that AH26 significantly reduced retention of posts cemented with Panavia F2.0 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Different sealers had no significant effect on retention of posts cemented with zinc phosphate. However posts cemented with Panavia F2.0 showed reduced retention in canals obturated with AH26.

Evaluation of acute flaccid paralysis in hamadan, iran from 2002 to 2009.

OBJECTIVES: To achieve a polio-free certification in Iran, a nationwide active surveillance program for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) was set up following World Health Organization guidelines. This article describes the results of an eight-year surveillance of AFP in Hamadan, in the west of Iran. METHODS: A standard set of minimum core variables were collected. All cases of non-polio AFP in children aged <15 years old were reported. Two stool specimens were collected within 14 days of the onset of paralysis. RESULTS: During the eight-year survey, 88 AFP cases aged <15 years old were reported. About 40% (35/88) of cases were aged ≤5 years, 56% (49/88) were boys, 19 (21.6%) had fever at the onset of paralysis, 74 (84.0%) had complete paralysis within four days of onset, and 22 (24.7%) had asymmetric paralysis. More than one AFP case was detected per 100,000 children aged <15 years old in all years. The risk of AFP in patients aged <5 years old was almost double that of older patients. Guillain-Barré Syndrome was the major leading cause of AFP (66/88). Adequate stool specimens were collected from 85% of AFP patients. All stool specimens were tested virologically, but no wild polioviruses were detected. CONCLUSION: The active surveillance of non-polio AFP was efficient over the last eight years and exceeded 1.0 case per 100,000 children aged <15 years old. Nonetheless, there was a decreasing trend in the detection of AFP cases during the last two years and should be the focus of the policymakers' special attention, although AFP cases were still above the target level.