Efficacy of sealants and bonding materials during fixed orthodontic treatment to prevent enamel demineralization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To analyse clinical studies investigating coating agents such as sealants and other bonding materials to prevent the initiation or inhibit the progress of white spot lesions (WSL) during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. Electronic databases (Pubmed, CENTRAL, EMBASE) were screened for studies. No language restrictions were applied. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were done in duplicate. Primary outcome included assessment of WSL with visual-tactile assessment and/or laser fluorescence measurements. Twenty-four studies with 1117 patients (age: 11-40 years) and 12,809 teeth were included. Overall, 34 different sealants or bonding materials were analysed. Fourteen studies analysed fluoride and 14 studies non-fluoride releasing materials. Meta-analysis for visual tactile assessment revealed that sealants significantly decreased the initiation of WSL compared to untreated control (RR [95%CI] = 0.70 [0.53; 0.93]; very low level of evidence). Materials releasing fluoride did not decrease initiation of WSL compared to those with no fluoride release (RR [95%CI] = 0.84 [0.70; 1.01]; very low level of evidence). For laser fluorescence measurements no meta-analysis could be performed. The use of sealants seems to be effective in preventing the initiation of post-orthodontic WSL. Furthermore, there is no evidence supporting that fluoride-releasing sealants or bonding materials are more effective than those without fluoride release. No gold standard prevention strategy to prevent WSL during treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances has been established yet. However, based on only a limited number of studies the use of sealants seems to be effective in preventing the initiation of post-orthodontic WSL.

[Ultrasonographic findings in a cow with extraskeletal chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the neck region]. / Ultraschallbefunde bei einer Kuh mit extraskelettalem chondroblastischem Osteosarkom am Hals.

This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in a five-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow with extraskeletal chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the neck region. The cow was referred because of a firm, non-painful swelling, approximately 25 cm in diameter, which was situated mainly on the lower left side of the neck but extended to the right. Ultrasonographic examination of the mass revealed a chambered structure containing echoic material that was separated by hyperechoic septa. Chondroblastic osteosarcoma was diagnosed based on histological evaluation of a biopsy sample, and the diagnosis was confirmed by postmortem examination.

Studies on the supply of immunoglobulin G to newborn camel calves (Camelus dromedarius).

A major problem in camel productivity is the high mortality rate of camel calves in the first 3 months. The causes for mortality are mainly poor management practice and infectious diseases. The purpose of this research, carried out on a ranch in Kenya, was to determine the immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in camel colostrum as well as the extent of the calves' passive immunization by maternal antibodies. IgG concentration in colostrum and in the serum of the calf were measured during the first 3 d of life. Evaluation was carried out by comparing the respective values with those for horses and cattle. The average IgG concentration in the camel colostrum was higher than that found in literature for horses and cattle. IgG concentration in the serum of the camel calves reached its maximum 24 h after birth. In 39% of the examined calves, this maximum concentration was below 4 g/l, which is considered to be the critical value in horses and cattle. 61% of the calves achieved an IgG concentration of over 4 g/l. Since there is no correlation between IgG level in colostrum and early mortality, the results indicate that low colostrum intake during the first 24 h of life and not low IgG concentration in colostrum is presumably one of the main causes of early calf mortality. Therefore, it was recommended that the care of the newborn calves by herdsmen should be improved.

[The supply of newborn camel foals (Camelus dromedarius) with immunoglobulin G]. / Untersuchungen über die Versorgung von neugeborenen Kamelfohlen (Camelus dromedarius) mit Immunglobulin-G.

A major problem in camel breeding in East Africa is the high mortality rate of young camel calves. The purpose of this research was to examine the quality of camel colostrum and extent of the calves passive immunization by maternal antibodies. In 31 camel birth on a ranch in Kenya, IgG concentrations in the colostrum and in the serum of the calf during the first three days of life were measured. IgG concentration in the serum of the calf reaches a maximum 24 hours after birth. In 39% of the examined calves, this maximum concentration was below 4 g/l. In 61% of the calves, an IgG concentration of more than 4 g/l was reached. No correlation was found between diseased animals and the IgG concentrations in the serum of the calves involved. A minor IgG concentration can be excluded as a reason for calves mortality. The high percentage of insufficient IgG concentration in the serum of the calves therefore must be caused by insufficient intake of colostrum. Future measures in order to decrease calves mortality must therefore try to improve the management of calves, especially the sufficient intake of colostrum.