Comparison of post-operative pain after root canal instrumentation with hand K-files, H-files and rotary Kedo-S files in primary teeth: a randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the post-operative pain after root canal instrumentation with hand K-files, H-files and rotary Kedo-S in primary teeth. METHOD: All 4-6-year-old children were invited and 69 agreed to participate. The participants were randomly divided and distributed for instrumentation with K-file (Group 1), H-file (Group 2) and rotary Kedo-S files (Group 3). After completion of root canal procedure, the post-operative pain was evaluated at intervals of 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h using modified Wong-Baker pain scale and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Post-operative pain between three groups at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h was compared using Chi square test. There was decreased post-operative pain with Kedo-S rotary files as compared to other two groups (P value < 0.001). The post-operative pain decreased after 12 h for all the groups with no pain at 24, 48 and 72 h intervals. CONCLUSION: Paediatric rotary files Kedo-S showed significantly less post-operative pain as compared to K-file and H-file at 6 h and 12 h intervals. However, follow-up interval of 24, 48 and 72 h showed no significant difference between the rotary and hand file groups.

Tuning epitaxial graphene sensitivity to water by hydrogen intercalation.

The effects of humidity on the electronic properties of quasi-free standing one layer graphene (QFS 1LG) are investigated via simultaneous magneto-transport in the van der Pauw geometry and local work function measurements in a controlled environment. QFS 1LG on 4H-SiC(0001) is obtained by hydrogen intercalation of the interfacial layer. In this system, the carrier concentration experiences a two-fold increase in sensitivity to changes in relative humidity as compared to the as-grown epitaxial graphene. This enhanced sensitivity to water is attributed to the lowering of the hydrophobicity of QFS 1LG, which results from spontaneous polarization of 4H-SiC(0001) strongly influencing the graphene. Moreover, the superior carrier mobility of the QFS 1LG system is retained even at the highest humidity. The work function maps constructed from Kelvin probe force microscopy also revealed higher sensitivity to water for 1LG compared to 2LG in both QFS 1LG and as-grown systems. These results point to a new field of applications for QFS 1LG, i.e., as humidity sensors, and the corresponding need for metrology in calibration of graphene-based sensors and devices.

Excessive charge time delaying ventricular tachycardia therapy.

A 70-year-old man with a single-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placed for ventricular tachycardia presented with syncope. He was found to have ventricular flutter/fibrillation with capacitor charge time in excess of 1 minute before defibrillation. The excessive charge time was secondary to ICD capacitor malfunction. The generator was explanted and replaced, and the patient recovered uneventfully.

Designing appropriate rehabilitation technology: a mobility device for women with ambulatory disabilities in India.

Mobility is an essential requirement for personal independence and social participation. For persons with an ambulatory disability, a lack of mobility creates barriers to the realization of these goals. In developed countries, significant research and development has resulted in the technological advancement of assistive devices. Unfortunately, transfer of these technologies to developing countries has proven difficult. Consequently, effort has been directed at designing appropriate technology in these countries--most often in the form of wheelchairs and hand-driven tricycles. For activities within and around the home, however, especially in cultures where many activities are traditionally performed on the floor, wheelchairs and tricycles are often inappropriate solutions. In response to this, a novel mobility device has been designed for use by women with ambulatory disabilities living in rural and low-income areas of India. The device is intended to assist the user in performing activities of daily living which occur within and near the home, and at ground level. To this end, the device conceptually differs from traditional wheelchair designs in that it physically keeps the rider near to the floor. This paper describes the new device as well as the cross-cultural and cross-professional collaborative methodology used in its design.

The mobility needs of women with physical disabilities in India: a functional perspective.

The purpose of this research was to explore the functional mobility needs of women with lower extremity disabilities in Gujarat state, India. Ten women participated in a Mobility Needs Assessment which used multiple data collection methods to gather quantitative and qualitative information in five main areas. The results indicated that the physical environment was diverse, at times unpredictable, and environmental barriers were commonly encountered. The women travelled relatively long distances to perform self-care activities such as bathing and toileting. Furthermore, the women had compensated for their disability by implementing different strategies, such as four methods of locomotion, ten sitting positions, and various methods for carrying objects. Activities of daily living were similar amongst the women, although some women required assistance to complete specific activities successfully. Although the women expressed different views on how they felt about their present level of mobility, all were able to identify activities they wished to perform if they could move more easily. The resulting information contributed towards an area where little has been documented previously.

Angiotensin II maintains, but does not mediate, isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats.

The role of angiotensin II (ANG II) in the development of isoproterenol (Iso)-induced cardiac hypertrophy was examined in rats. Iso increased cardiac mass, left ventricular RNA-to-DNA ratio, and the cardiac content of both myosin heavy chain and hydroxyproline in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that Iso-induced cardiac hypertrophy involves growth of both muscle and connective tissue. Cardiac hypertrophy reverted within 11-14 days after cessation of Iso. Propranolol prevented development of Iso-induced cardiac hypertrophy but did not affect the rate of its reversal. The ANG II receptor blocker losartan (Los) did not significantly decrease the hypertrophic response to Iso. Los injected after cessation of Iso dramatically enhanced the reversal of cardiac hypertrophy, even in rats that received Los with Iso during the induction of Iso-induced cardiac hypertrophy. ANG II, injected continuously at a subpressor dose that did not affect heart weight when given alone, inhibited reversal of cardiac hypertrophy when given after cessation of Iso. Los did not significantly affect the induction of the protooncogene c-fos by Iso. We conclude that endogenous ANG II has a major function in maintaining Iso-induced cardiac hypertrophy but does not mediate its induction. This suggests that different interactive stimuli may be required for development of cardiac hypertrophy, i.e., for initiation and for maintenance.

Percutaneous thecoperitoneal shunt for syringomyelia. Report of three cases.

Between January and April, 1990, three consecutive cases of syringomyelia were treated by percutaneous placement of thecoperitoneal shunts. Two of these patients had undergone craniovertebral decompression earlier at other centers and the third was treated primarily by a thecoperitoneal shunt. In each case, the syrinx was associated with Chiari I malformation, although the clinical presentation was due to a myelopathy. All three patients obtained unequivocal benefit from this simple procedure. Postoperative magnetic resonance images showed considerable shrinkage of the cysts corresponding with clinical improvement.

Intracranial tuberculoma and the CT scan.

Computerized tomography (CT) has greatly influenced the diagnosis and management of intracranial tuberculomas and has helped us to formulate guidelines for the management of these lesions. Solid and ring-enhancing lesions seen on CT scans are diagnostic of tuberculoma if supported by other clinical and ancillary criteria. Conservative management of intracranial tuberculoma is usually indicated because serial CT scans have shown complete disappearance of these lesions with antituberculous therapy. Only lesions associated with raised intracranial pressure and CT evidence of a mass effect should be considered for surgery. Nonresponse to antituberculous therapy, as judged by serial CT scanning, should raise doubts regarding the diagnosis of a tuberculomatous lesion, and therefore such lesions should be subjected to surgery and histopathological confirmation. Representative clinical cases illustrating the principles of diagnosis and management of intracranial tuberculoma with the help of CT scanning are briefly described and discussed.