Externally Applied Electromagnetic Fields and Hyperthermia Irreversibly Damage Cancer Cells.

At present, the applications and efficacy of non-ionizing radiations (NIR) in oncotherapy are limited. In terms of potential combinations, the use of biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles as heat mediators has been extensively investigated. Nevertheless, developing more efficient heat nanomediators that may exhibit high specific absorption rates is still an unsolved problem. Our aim was to investigate if externally applied magnetic fields and a heat-inducing NIR affect tumor cell viability. To this end, under in vitro conditions, different human cancer cells (A2058 melanoma, AsPC1 pancreas carcinoma, MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma) were treated with the combination of electromagnetic fields (EMFs, using solenoids) and hyperthermia (HT, using a thermostated bath). The effect of NIR was also studied in combination with standard chemotherapy and targeted therapy. An experimental device combining EMFs and high-intensity focused ultrasounds (HIFU)-induced HT was tested in vivo. EMFs (25 µT, 4 h) or HT (52 °C, 40 min) showed a limited effect on cancer cell viability in vitro. However, their combination decreased viability to approximately 16%, 50%, and 21% of control values in A2058, AsPC1, and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. Increased lysosomal permeability, release of cathepsins into the cytosol, and mitochondria-dependent activation of cell death are the underlying mechanisms. Cancer cells could be completely eliminated by combining EMFs, HT, and standard chemotherapy or EMFs, HT, and anti-Hsp70-targeted therapy. As a proof of concept, in vivo experiments performed in AsPC1 xenografts showed that a combination of EMFs, HIFU-induced HT, standard chemotherapy, and a lysosomal permeabilizer induces a complete cancer regression.

Association between malocclusion and articulation of phonemes in early childhood.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between dental malocclusion and speech to understand the etiology of speech sound disorders (SSD) in schoolchildren and to make a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articulation and dental occlusion, oromyofunctional evaluation with orofacial praxis and musculature, resting tongue position, and swallowing pattern were analyzed in 290 schoolchildren between the ages of 4 and 7 years. Statistical tests were considered significant for P < .05. RESULTS: A significant association between dental malocclusions (Angle Class II and III, anterior open bite, edge-to-edge bite, overjet and anterior crossbite) and phonetic alterations (P = .008) was observed. Sigmatisms and rhotacisms were the most frequent disorders. Malocclusions also showed a significant association with oral habits and with orofacial praxis and muscle activity. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of malocclusion can cause imbalances in the functions involved in the stomatognathic system. Awareness of this relationship in young children would help professionals to implement preventive measures for the optimum development of children's oral health.

Tibial Nerve Block: Supramalleolar or Retromalleolar Approach? A Randomized Trial in 110 Participants.

Of the five nerves that innervate the foot, the one in which anesthetic blocking presents the greatest difficulty is the tibial nerve. The aim of this clinical trial was to establish a protocol for two tibial nerve block anesthetic techniques to later compare the anesthetic efficiency of retromalleolar blocking and supramalleolar blocking in order to ascertain whether the supramalleolar approach achieved a higher effective blocking rate. A total of 110 tibial nerve blocks were performed. Location of the injection site was based on a prior ultrasound assessment of the tibial nerve. The block administered was 3 mL of 2% mepivacaine. The two anesthetic techniques under study provided very similar clinical results. The tibial nerve success rate was 81.8% for the retromalleolar technique and 78.2% for the supramalleolar technique. No significant differences in absolute latency time (p = 0.287), percentage of effective nerve blocks (p = 0.634), anesthetic block duration (p = 0.895), or pain level during puncture (p = 0.847) were found between the two techniques. The greater ease in locating the tibial nerve at the retromalleolar approach could suggest that this is the technique of choice for tibial nerve blocking, especially in the case of professionals new to the field. The supramalleolar technique could be worth considering for those more experienced professionals.

[The Hospital Admision Register (CMBD) use for the analisys of hospital aquired pressure ulcer at the region of Valencia (2012-2015)]. / Utilidad del uso del registro de altas hospitalarias (CMBD) para el análisis de las úlceras por presión adquiridas durante la hospitalización en la Comunidad Valenciana (2012-2015).

OBJECTIVE: The Pressure Ulcer is a recognised healthcare adverse event and a public health problem. The main goal in this work was to understand the status of the Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer (HAPU) from the public hospitals of the Valencian Community before (2012) and during the process of implementation of a specific prevention and treatment Practice Guideline for this matter (2013-2015). METHODS: Retrospective study through the Minimum Basic Hospital Data Set (MBDS), and taking its variables as the input. The database had 15.594 cases of hospitalization with 71 variables. The tools utilized were classical statistical analysis, Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS) and Self-Organized Maps (SOM). RESULTS: The 90,83% of the admission in hospitals related to pressure ulcer treatment were admitted for a different reason than pressure ulcer itself and acquire it at the hospital. In relation to those Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer (HAPU) a temporal pattern was discovered, in a six-month cycle decreasing in August and September and increasing at the beginning of the year. The five main diagnoses associated to the HAPU had been detected and remain stable all over the study. A hospital classification has been done related to their behaviour based on its admissions as well, retrieving four types of behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The MBDS proves to be a useful tool to retrieve a general overview of HAPU and identifying the risk patient profile where prevention strategies have to be strengthened.

OBJETIVO: Las úlceras por presión son un grave problema de salud pública y están reconocidas como un evento adverso de la atención sanitaria. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer el escenario de las Úlceras Por Presión (UPP) adquiridas en los hospitales públicos de la Comunidad Valenciana antes (2012) y durante el proceso de implementación de una Guía de Práctica Clínica (GPC) específica de prevención y tratamiento de este problema de salud (2013-2015). METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo a través del uso del Registro de Altas Hospitalarias (CMBD) de todos los hospitales públicos de la Comunidad Valenciana. La base de datos contenía 15.594 episodios de hospitalización con 71 variables. Se utilizó el análisis estadístico clásico, el análisis multidimensional escalado (MDS) y los mapas autoorganizados (SOM). RESULTADOS: El 90,83% de los pacientes que al alta se les había diagnosticado UPP ingresaron por otros motivos distintos al de UPP, pero adquirieron UPP durante su proceso de hospitalización. Se observó un patrón temporal, que coincidía cada 6 meses, con descenso durante los meses de agosto y septiembre y subidas en los primeros meses del año. Se determinaron cinco diagnósticos principales asociados, que coincidieron en todo el periodo de estudio. También se clasificaron cuatro tipos de comportamiento hospitalario, en relación a sus tendencias en las altas con diagnóstico de UPP. CONCLUSIONES: El CMBD ha contribuido de forma positiva en la caracterización del entorno de la hospitalización en la adquisición de UPP, configurando el perfil de pacientes de riesgo en los que hay que extremar las estrategias de prevención de UPP.

Utilidad del uso del registro de altas hospitalarias (CMBD) para el análisis de las úlceras por presión adquiridas durante la hospitalización en la Comunidad Valenciana (2012-2015) / The Hospital Admision Register (CMBD) use for the analisys of hospital aquired pressure ulcer at the region of Valencia (2012-2015)

OBJETIVO: Las úlceras por presión son un grave problema de salud pública y están reconocidas como un evento adverso de la atención sanitaria. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer el escenario de las Úlceras Por Presión (UPP) adquiridas en los hospitales públicos de la Comunidad Valenciana antes (2012) y durante el proceso de implementación de una Guía de Práctica Clínica (GPC) específica de prevención y tratamiento de este problema de salud (2013-2015). MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo a través del uso del Registro de Altas Hospitalarias (CMBD) de todos los hospitales públicos de la Comunidad Valenciana. La base de datos contenía 15.594 episodios de hospitalización con 71 variables. Se utilizó el análisis estadístico clásico, el análisis multidimensional escalado (MDS) y los mapas autoorganizados (SOM). RESULTADOS: El 90,83% de los pacientes que al alta se les había diagnosticado UPP ingresaron por otros motivos distintos al de UPP, pero adquirieron UPP durante su proceso de hospitalización. Se observó un patrón temporal, que coincidía cada 6 meses, con descenso durante los meses de agosto y septiembre y subidas en los primeros meses del año. Se determinaron cinco diagnósticos principales asociados, que coincidieron en todo el periodo de estudio. También se clasificaron cuatro tipos de comportamiento hospitalario, en relación a sus tendencias en las altas con diagnóstico de UPP. CONCLUSIONES: El CMBD ha contribuido de forma positiva en la caracterización del entorno de la hospitalización en la adquisición de UPP, configurando el perfil de pacientes de riesgo en los que hay que extremar las estrategias de prevención de UPP

OBJECTIVE: The Pressure Ulcer is a recognised healthcare adverse event and a public health problem. The main goal in this work was to understand the status of the Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer (HAPU) from the public hospitals of the Valencian Community before (2012) and during the process of implementation of a specific prevention and treatment Practice Guideline for this matter (2013-2015). METHODS: Retrospective study through the Minimum Basic Hospital Data Set (MBDS), and taking its variables as the input. The database had 15.594 cases of hospitalization with 71 variables. The tools utilized were classical statistical analysis, Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS) and Self-Organized Maps (SOM). RESULTS: The 90,83% of the admission in hospitals related to pressure ulcer treatment were admitted for a different reason than pressure ulcer itself and acquire it at the hospital. In relation to those Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcer (HAPU) a temporal pattern was discovered, in a six-month cycle decreasing in August and September and increasing at the beginning of the year. The five main diagnoses associated to the HAPU had been detected and remain stable all over the study. A hospital classification has been done related to their behaviour based on its admissions as well, retrieving four types of behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The MBDS proves to be a useful tool to retrieve a general overview of HAPU and identifying the risk patient profile where prevention strategies have to be strengthened

A New Equation for Predicting Evolution of Oral Pain in Orthodontic Treatment: A Longitudinal, Prospective Cohort Study.

AIMS: To develop an equation capable of relating the evolution of oral pain to the time elapsed, measured from the moment of dental archwire fitting and identifying when pain begins, peaks, and ends; and secondly, to compare pain during orthodontic treatment in relation to archwire material (steel or nickel-titanium [Ni-Ti]) and position (maxillary or mandibular) and patient age (child, teenager, or adult) and gender (male or female). METHODS: A longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted of 112 patients who filled in a scale to evaluate pain, noting the times when the pain occurred. The total sample consisted of 60 males and 52 females with a mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age of 19.8 ± 6.2 years. The sample was divided into five groups depending on archwire material and position, and patient age and gender. A univariate four-way ANOVA model was performed to compare mean pain levels between groups. Bonferroni test was used for multiple comparisons. A univariate nonlinear regression model was carried out for pain level, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated, and the statistic R² was used. RESULTS: An equation was developed based on pain levels in relation to time elapsed, measured from the moment when the archwire had been fitted in the mouth. The equation had three coefficients related to mean pain values: overall pain, peak pain, and how pain decreased. It fitted all study groups with a correlation coefficient > 0.9. The model showed that pain levels were influenced by archwire material and patient gender and age, but not archwire position. CONCLUSION: The equation reproduced the data registered and can be applied to studies of pain derived from archwires, and this methodology could be used for other external agents fitted in the mouth. Patients receiving dental treatment involving external agents can be made aware of the pain they can expect to experience. This will enable them to distinguish expected pain from other pain, which will help them identify other pathologies requiring medical attention and to approach treatment with better motivation since the pattern of pain evolution is known in advance.

Use of self-organizing maps for analyzing the behavior of canines displaced towards midline under interceptive treatment

BACKGROUND: Displaced maxillary permanent canine is one of the more frequent findings in canine eruption process and it's easy to be outlined and early diagnosed by means of x-ray images. Late diagnosis frequently needs surgery to rescue the impacted permanent canine. In many cases, interceptive treatment to redirect canine eruption is needed. However, some patients treated by interceptive means end up requiring fenestration to orthodontically guide the canine to its normal occlusal position. It would be interesting, therefore, to discover the dental characteristics of patients who will need additional surgical treatment to interceptive treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To study the dental characteristics associated with canine impaction, conventional statistics have traditionally been used. This approach, although serving to illustrate many features of this problem, has not provided a satisfactory response or not provided an overall idea of the characteristics of these types of patients, each one of them with their own particular set of variables. Faced with this situation, and in order to analyze the problem of impaction despite interceptive treatment, we have used an alternative method for representing the variables that have an influence on this syndrome. This method is known as Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), a method used for analyzing problems with multiple variables. RESULTS: We analyzed 78 patients with a PMC angulation higher than 100ş. All of them were subject to interceptive treatment and in 21 cases it was necessary to undertake the above-mentioned fenestration to achieve the final eruption of the canine. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we describe the process of debugging variables and selecting the appropriate number of cells in SOM so as to adequately visualize the problem posed and the dental characteristics of patients with regard to a greater or lesser probability of the need for fenestration

New regression equations for predicting human teeth sizes.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of the study were; to evaluate the applicability of the Moyers and Tanaka-Johnston Methods to individuals with a Spanish ancestry, to propose new regression equations using the lower four permanent incisors as predictors for the sum of the widths of the lower permanent canine and premolars, and to compare the new data to those from other populations. METHODS: A total of 359 Spanish ancestry adolescents were selected. Their dental casts were measured using a 2D computerized system. Real teeth measurements were compared with those predicted using Moyers probability tables and Tanaka and Johnston equations, and standard regression equations were then developed. RESULTS: Results showed that Upper and Lower Canine and Premolar (UCPM, LCPM) predictions are quite different depending on the used method. Moyers tables can only be validly applied to a 75% percentile for the mandible in both, males and females, 85% in males and 90-92% in females. CONCLUSIONS: Moyers predictions tend to underestimate UCPM and LCPM whereas Tanaka-Johnston predictions tend to overestimate them. Equations for estimating the combined width of the unerupted canine and premolars were; Male: UCPM = 12.68 + 0.42 LI and LCPM = 11.71 + 0.44 LI. Female: UCPM = 12.06 + 0.43LI and LCPM = 10.71 + 0.46 LI.

Subjective ranking of concert halls substantiated through orthogonal objective parameters.

This paper studies the global subjective assessment, obtained from mean values of the results of surveys addressed to members of the audience of live concerts in Spanish auditoriums, through the mean values of the three orthogonal objective parameters (Tmid, IACCE3, and LEV), expressed in just noticeable differences (JNDs), regarding the best-valued hall. Results show that a linear combination of the relative variations of orthogonal parameters can largely explain the overall perceived quality of the sample. However, the mean values of certain orthogonal parameters are not representative, which shows that an alternative approach to the problem is necessary. Various possibilities are proposed.

Infrared thermography is useful for ruling out fractures in paediatric emergencies.

UNLABELLED: Musculoskeletal injuries are a leading cause of paediatric injuries and emergency department visits in Western countries. Diagnosis usually involves radiography, but this exposes children without fractures to unnecessary ionising radiation. We explored whether infrared thermography could provide a viable alternative in trauma cases. We compared radiography and thermal images of 133 children who had been diagnosed with a trauma injury in the emergency unit of a Spanish hospital. As well as the thermal variables in the literature, we introduced a new quantifier variable, the size of the lesion. Decision tree models were built to assess the technique's accuracy in diagnosing whether a bone had been fractured or not. Infrared thermography had a sensitivity of 0.91, a specificity of 0.88 and a negative predictive value of 0.95. The new lesion size variable introduced appeared to be of main importance to the discriminatory power of the method. CONCLUSION: The high negative predictive value of infrared thermography suggests that it is a promising method for ruling out fractures.

Infrared thermal imaging in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal injuries occur frequently. Diagnostic tests using ionizing radiation can lead to problems for patients, and infrared thermal imaging could be useful when diagnosing these injuries. CONCLUSION: A systematic review was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of infrared thermal imaging in patients with musculoskeletal injuries. A meta-analysis of three studies evaluating stress fractures was performed and found a lack of support for the usefulness of infrared thermal imaging in musculoskeletal injuries diagnosis.

Monitoring of the action of drugs in melanoma cells by dynamic laser speckle.

This work presents the development of a protocol based on the dynamic laser speckle designed to monitor the reaction of cancer cells of line MEL-RC08 to the application of the drug Colcemid in two different concentrations: 0.2 and 0.4 µg/mL. The protocol was designed using the forward scattering approach with an He-Ne laser of 632.8 nm illuminating the samples, a control, and two variations of Colcemid, being monitored along 8 h. The data were analyzed numerically in the time and in the frequency domain, and the results presented the ability of the technique to monitor the action of the drug, particularly Colcemid (0.4 µg/mL).

A new 3D method for measuring cranio-facial relationships with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Objectives: CBCT systems, with their high precision 3D reconstructions, 1:1 images and accuracy in locating cephalometric landmarks, allows us to evaluate measurements from craniofacial structures, so enabling us to replace the anthropometric methods or bidimensional methods used until now. The aims are to analyse cranio-facial relationships in a sample of patients who had previously undergone a CBCT and create a new 3D cephalometric method for assessing and measuring patients. Study Design: 90 patients who had a CBCT (i-Cat®) as a diagnostic register were selected. 12 cephalometric landmarks on the three spatial planes (X,Y,Z) were defined and 21 linear measurements were established. Using these measurements, 7 triangles were described and analysed. With the sides of the triangles: (CdR-Me-CdL); (FzR-Me-FzL); (GoR-N-GoL); and the Gl-Me distance, the ratios between them were analysed. In addition, 4 triangles in the mandible were measured (body: GoR-DB-Me and GoL-DB-Me and ramus: KrR-CdR-GoR and KrL-CdL-GoL). Results: When analyzing the sides of the CdR-Me-CdL triangle, it was found that the 69.33% of the patients could be considered symmetric. Regarding the ratios between the sides of the following triangles: CdR-Me-CdL, FzR-Me-FzL, GoR-N-GoL and the Gl-Me distance, it was found that almost all ratios were close to 1:1 except between the CdR-CdL side with respect the rest of the sides. With regard to the ratios of the 4 triangles of the mandible, it was found that the most symmetrical relationships were those corresponding to the sides of the body of the mandible and the most asymmetrical ones were those corresponding to the base of such triangles. Conclusions: A new method for assessing cranio-facial relationshps using CBCT has been established. It could be used for diverse purposes including diagnosis and treatment planning (AU)

Study between anb angle and Wits appraisal in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Objectives: To analyse the ANB and Wits values and to study correlations between those two measurements and other measurements in diagnosing the anteroposterior maxilo-mandibular relationship with CBCT. Study Design: Ninety patients who had previously a CBCT (i-CAT®) as a diagnostic register were selected. A 3D cephalometry was designed using one software package, InVivo5®. This cephalometry included 3 planes of reference, 3 angle measurements and 1 linear measurement. The means and standard deviations of the mean of each measurement were assessed. After that, a Pearson's correlation coefficient has been performed to analyse the significance of each relationship. Results: When classifying the sample according to the anteroposterior relationship, the values obtained of ANB (Class I: 53%; Class II: 37%; Class III: 10%) and Wits (Class I: 35%; Class II: 56%; Class III: 9%) did not coincide, except for the Class III group. However, of the patients classified differently (Class I and Class II patients) by ANB and Wits, a high percentage of individuals (n=22; 49%), had a mesofacial pattern with a mandibular plane angle within normal values. A correlation has been found between ANB and Wits (r=0,262), occlusal plane angle and ANB (r=0,426), and mandibular plane angle and Wits (r=0,242). No correlation was found between either Wits or ANB in relation with the age of the individuals. Conclusions: ANB and Wits must be included in 3D cephalometric analyses as both are necessary to undertake a more accurate diagnosis of the maxillo-mandibular relationship of the patients (AU)

Study between anb angle and Wits appraisal in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the ANB and Wits values and to study correlations between those two measurements and other measurements in diagnosing the anteroposterior maxilo-mandibular relationship with CBCT. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety patients who had previously a CBCT (i-CAT®) as a diagnostic register were selected. A 3D cephalometry was designed using one software package, InVivo5®. This cephalometry included 3 planes of reference, 3 angle measurements and 1 linear measurement. The means and standard deviations of the mean of each measurement were assessed. After that, a Pearson's correlation coefficient has been performed to analyse the significance of each relationship. RESULTS: When classifying the sample according to the anteroposterior relationship, the values obtained of ANB (Class I: 53%; Class II: 37%; Class III: 10%) and Wits (Class I: 35%; Class II: 56%; Class III: 9%) did not coincide, except for the Class III group. However, of the patients classified differently (Class I and Class II patients) by ANB and Wits, a high percentage of individuals (n=22; 49%), had a mesofacial pattern with a mandibular plane angle within normal values. A correlation has been found between ANB and Wits (r=0,262), occlusal plane angle and ANB (r=0,426), and mandibular plane angle and Wits (r=0,242). No correlation was found between either Wits or ANB in relation with the age of the individuals. CONCLUSIONS: ANB and Wits must be included in 3D cephalometric analyses as both are necessary to undertake a more accurate diagnosis of the maxillo-mandibular relationship of the patients.

A new 3D method for measuring cranio-facial relationships with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

OBJECTIVES: CBCT systems, with their high precision 3D reconstructions, 1:1 images and accuracy in locating cephalometric landmarks, allows us to evaluate measurements from craniofacial structures, so enabling us to replace the anthropometric methods or bidimensional methods used until now. The aims are to analyse cranio-facial relationships in a sample of patients who had previously undergone a CBCT and create a new 3D cephalometric method for assessing and measuring patients. STUDY DESIGN: 90 patients who had a CBCT (i-Cat®) as a diagnostic register were selected. 12 cephalometric landmarks on the three spatial planes (X,Y,Z) were defined and 21 linear measurements were established. Using these measurements, 7 triangles were described and analysed. With the sides of the triangles: (CdR-Me-CdL); (FzR-Me-FzL); (GoR-N-GoL); and the Gl-Me distance, the ratios between them were analysed. In addition, 4 triangles in the mandible were measured (body: GoR-DB-Me and GoL-DB-Me and ramus: KrR-CdR-GoR and KrL-CdL-GoL). RESULTS: When analyzing the sides of the CdR-Me-CdL triangle, it was found that the 69.33% of the patients could be considered symmetric. Regarding the ratios between the sides of the following triangles: CdR-Me-CdL, FzR-Me-FzL, GoR-N-GoL and the Gl-Me distance, it was found that almost all ratios were close to 1:1 except between the CdR-CdL side with respect the rest of the sides. With regard to the ratios of the 4 triangles of the mandible, it was found that the most symmetrical relationships were those corresponding to the sides of the body of the mandible and the most asymmetrical ones were those corresponding to the base of such triangles. CONCLUSIONS: A new method for assessing cranio-facial relationships using CBCT has been established. It could be used for diverse purposes including diagnosis and treatment planning.

A study on the reproducibility of cephalometric landmarks when undertaking a three-dimensional (3D) cephalometric analysis

Objectives: Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) allows the possibility of modifying some of thediagnostic tools used in orthodontics, such as cephalometry. The first step must be to study the characteristics ofthese devices in terms of accuracy and reliability of the most commonly used landmarks. The aims were 1- Toassess intra and inter-observer reliability in the location of anatomical landmarks belonging to hard tissues of theskull in images taken with a CBCT device, 2- To determine which of those landmarks are more vs. less reliableand 3- To introduce planes of reference so as to create cephalometric analyses appropriated to the 3D reality.Study design: Fifteen patients who had a CBCT (i-CAT®) as a diagnostic register were selected. To assess thereproducibility on landmark location and the differences in the measurements of two observers at different times,41 landmarks were defined on the three spatial axes (X,Y,Z) and located. 3.690 measurements were taken and, aseach determination has 3 coordinates, 11.070 data were processed with SPSS® statistical package. To discover thereproducibility of the method on landmark location, an ANOVA was undertaken using two variation factors: time(t1, t2 and t3) and observer (Ob1 and Ob2) for each axis (X, Y and Z) and landmark. The order of the CBCT scanssubmitted to the observers (Ob1, Ob2) at t1, t2, and t3, were different and randomly allocated. Multiple comparisons were undertaken using the Bonferroni test. The intra- and inter-examiner ICC's were calculated. Results: Intra- and inter-examiner reliability was high, both being ICC ≥ 0.99, with the best frequency on axis Z. Conclusions: The most reliable landmarks were: Nasion, Sella, Basion, left Porion, point A, anterior nasal spine, Pogonion, Gnathion, Menton, frontozygomatic sutures, first lower molars and upper and lower incisors. Those with less reliability were the supraorbitals, right zygion and posterior nasal spine (AU)

Evaluation of the validity of the Bolton Index using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)

Aims: To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of calculating the Bolton Index using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to compare this with measurements obtained using the 2D Digital Method. Material and Methods: Traditional study models were obtained from 50 patients, which were then digitized in order to be able to measure them using the Digital Method. Likewise, CBCTs of those same patients were undertaken using the Dental Picasso Master 3D® and the images obtained were then analysed using the InVivoDental programme. Results: By determining the regression lines for both measurement methods, as well as the difference between both of their values, the two methods are shown to be comparable, despite the fact that the measurements analysed presented statistically significant differences. Conclusions: The three-dimensional models obtained from the CBCT are as accurate and reproducible as the digital models obtained from the plaster study casts for calculating the Bolton Index. The differences existing between both methods were clinically acceptable (AU)

Effects of endodontic treatment on apparent Young's modulus of human teeth: in vitro study using speckle interferometry.

The introduction of new techniques for endodontic procedures requires the analysis of the biomechanical behavior of dental structures. Digital speckle shearing pattern interferometry (DSSPI) is a nondestructive optical measuring technique that allows one to directly quantify deformations in teeth that are subjected to stress. DSSPI technique was applied to measure small deformations caused by flexion in different types of teeth. The test was carried out both before and after endodontic treatment with the ProTaper method in order to evaluate the variation of dental elasticity, taking into the account the type of tooth and the endodontic treatment. The results obtained show that dental elasticity, established by means of the apparent Young's modulus, before and after the endodontic treatment, differs between incisors and premolars. The endodontic process does not affect dental elasticity (p>0.7). Specifically, 57.1% of central incisors and 56.3% of second premolars slightly increase their elasticity after the endodontic process. In turn, 42.9% of central incisors and 43.7% of second premolars slightly decrease elasticity. The endodontic treatment especially affects the "neutral fibre"; therefore, there is little influence on elasticity by flexion. However, after finishing the process, the channel was restored with material, which can slightly increase tooth elasticity in some cases.

Evaluation of the validity of the Bolton Index using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

AIMS: To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of calculating the Bolton Index using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to compare this with measurements obtained using the 2D Digital Method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Traditional study models were obtained from 50 patients, which were then digitized in order to be able to measure them using the Digital Method. Likewise, CBCTs of those same patients were undertaken using the Dental Picasso Master 3D® and the images obtained were then analysed using the InVivoDental programme. RESULTS: By determining the regression lines for both measurement methods, as well as the difference between both of their values, the two methods are shown to be comparable, despite the fact that the measurements analysed presented statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The three-dimensional models obtained from the CBCT are as accurate and reproducible as the digital models obtained from the plaster study casts for calculating the Bolton Index. The differences existing between both methods were clinically acceptable.