Impacts of Contracted Endodontic Cavities on Primary Root Canal Curvature Parameters in Mandibular Molars.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to provide information regarding the debate on contracted endodontic cavities (CECs); their impacts on angle, location, and radius of the primary canal curvature (PCC) were assessed in type IV mesial root canals of mandibular molars at different stages of instrumentation. Impacts on treatment time were also assessed. METHODS: Twenty-four teeth were matched by radiographic and micro-computed tomographic criteria and accessed via CECs (CEC, n = 12) or nonextended traditional endodontic cavities (TECs, n = 12). PCC parameters were radiographically determined using a repositioning apparatus before glide path preparation (PI), after glide path preparation, and after final instrumentation (FI). Instrumentation was performed with PathFiles (13/.02, 16/.02; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and ProFile Vortex files (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) to size 30/.04 at the working length under copious irrigation. Changes in PCC were measured with ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). The instrumentation time was recorded. Data were analyzed with 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (α < .05) and Tukey honest significant difference tests. RESULTS: A significant (P < .001) decrease in the mean angle and increase in the mean radius were detected at each instrumentation stage for both CECs (angle: PI = 42.57°± 8.00°, FI = 32.61°± 5.17°; radius: PI = 6.48 ± 1.81 mm, FI = 10.55 ± 1.48 mm) and TECs (angle: PI = 38.80°± 7.15°, FI = 30.08°± 6.99°; radius: PI = 6.97 ± 2.31 mm, FI = 11.01 ± 2.20 mm). PCC location shifted apically (P < .001). Changes in PCC parameters did not differ significantly between CECs and TECs (P > .05). The treatment time was significantly (P < .0001) longer for CECs (83.17 ± 6.71 minutes) than for TECs (33.18 ± 9.20 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Instrumentation of curved mesial canals reduced the severity and abruptness of PCC and shifted the PCC location apically similarly in mandibular molars with CECs and those with nonextended TECs. The extended treatment time with CEC merits consideration when debating CECs versus TECs.

Translation of the human angiotensin II type 1 receptor mRNA is mediated by a highly efficient internal ribosome entry site.

Activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is closely involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The human AT1R (hAT1R) mRNA splice variants have long 5'-untranslated regions (5'-UTRs) ranging from 272 to 414 bp that have the potential to form stable secondary structures. In this study, we show that the 5'-UTR of hAT(1)R mRNAs contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) located within the first 40 bp of the proximal end of exon 1. Experiments utilizing the hAT1R 5'-UTR as a molecular decoy demonstrate a reduction in IRES activity of approximately 50%. This inhibition is most efficient for the hAT1R IRES suggesting that a defined set of trans-factors are required to initiate translation through this cis-element. Translation initiation from the hAT1R IRES appears to be physiologically relevant since IRES activity was maintained during serum starvation, a cellular stress known to inhibit cap-dependent translation. These results suggest that cap-independent translation initiation by internal ribosome entry may represent an important mechanism for the regulation of hAT1R expression.