A laboratory study of the accuracy of three electronic apex locators: influence of embedding media and radiographic assessment of the electronic apical limit.

AIM: To evaluate several factors that might interfere with the use of electronic root canal length measurement devices (ERCLMDs) in a laboratory setting, including two different embedding media (alginate and electroconductive gel), three different types of devices and the radiographic view on the assessment of the electronic readings. METHODOLOGY: Thirty single-rooted extracted human mandibular premolars were selected. After access and canal pre-flaring, a size 10 K-file was inserted in the canal up to the major apical foramen under magnification (×10), and this length was recorded as the actual length (AL) of the canal. Teeth were mounted on a specific endodontic training kit platform (ProTrain). Two different embedding media (electroconductive gel and alginate) and three different ERCLMDs: Apex ID (SybronEndo, Glendora, CA, USA), CanalPro Apex Locator (Coltene-Endo, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA) and the Root ZX II (J. Morita, Tokyo, Japan), were tested. Following the measurement at the 0.5 mark of each ERCLMD using alginate, two periapical radiographs (bucco-lingual and proximal views) were taken. The difference between the electronic readings and the AL, as well as the distance from the file tip to the apex of the roots on the radiographs, was calculated. Data were analysed statistically (two-way anova, Tukey's and chi-squared tests) at 5% significance level. RESULTS: The incidence of over-extended readings was significantly greater (P < 0.05) when using the ProTrain electroconductive gel, except for Root ZX II at the 0.5 mark. Root ZX, CanalPro and Apex ID had similar accuracy when the 0.0/APEX mark was used to locate the foramen. For the radiographic method, no difference was found between the devices or radiographic views. CONCLUSION: Compared with alginate, the conductive gel of the ProTrain kit negatively affected most of the electronic readings. The three evaluated ERCLMDs had similar accuracy in locating the apical foramen when using the mark 0.0/APEX and alginate as the embedding media. Although the ProTrain platform allows radiographs to be exposed in both bucco-lingual and proximal views, no difference was found between the views when evaluating the apical limit provided by the 0.5 mark in mandibular premolars embedded in alginate.

Anisotropy of water droplets on single rectangular posts.

We report results of extensive experimental and numerical studies of the anisotropy of water drops deposited on single rectangular posts of mesoscopic size sculpted on different materials. Drops of different volume deposited on the top face of the posts assume an elongated shape along the post direction. Systematic investigations show that while the angle measured along the direction parallel to the post does not change, the one measured across them increases monotonically with the drop volume. The difference in these two angles is found to be proportional to the contact line eccentricity even for very elongated drops, regardless of the post size and material. Results obtained with the lattice Boltzmann method are consistent with these observations and indicate useful trends on the evolution of the drop shape with the system main parameters. We argue that drops deposited on single posts having a very sharp profile represent an ideal model system to investigate anisotropic wetting.

Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis: a comparison of two scoring systems.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory pruritic skin heterogeneous disease, which does not have an objective tool able to permit comparison between patients and to monitor changes due to a specific treatment. Several assessment methods have been developed to evaluate the AD. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between two observers in the assessment of the severity of AD applying SCORAD index and EASI in infants and young children with AD. The variations of parameters that compose each score, as well as the inter-observer variation for both scores, were also studied. METHODS: We evaluated 42 infants and young children admitted and followed in a paediatric allergy centre (UNIFESP-EPM). All children met the diagnostic criteria for clinical AD established by Hanifin and Rajka. Two investigators graded the severity of AD, applying the SCORAD index and EASI. The two scoring systems assessed the variation between baseline evaluation and one month after treatment. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed comparing both scores for each physician and each evaluation. There were no differences between the mean SCORAD and EASI scores for each physician, in the two evaluations. There was a significant decrease in the mean total SCORAD and EASI score and its components, except for the item Upper Extremities EASI CONCLUSION: Both scoring systems for AD are valid, reproducible and responsive in monitoring AD patients. Further studies will be necessary to investigate the development of AD and the best evaluation. SCORAD showed itself to be an excellent score to detect the development of AD, whereas the EASI are suitable to follow up in drug-effect studies of AD for research purposes.

Severity scoring of atopic dermatitis: a comparison of two scoring systems

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory pruritic skin heterogeneous disease, which does not have an objective tool able to permit comparison between patients and to monitor changes due to a specific treatment. Several assessment methods have been developed to evaluate the AD.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between two observers in the assessment of the severity of AD applying SCORAD index and EASI in infants and young children with AD. The variations of parameters that compose eachscore, as well as the inter-observer variation for bothscores, were also studied. Methods: We evaluated 42 infants and young children admitted and followed in a paediatric allergy centre (UNIFESP-EPM). All children met the diagnostic criteria for clinical AD established by Hanifin and Rajka. Two investigators graded the severity of AD, applying the SCORAD index and EASI. The two scoring systems assessed the variation between baseline evaluation and one month after treatment. Results: Significant correlations were observed comparing both scores for each physician and each evaluation. There were no differences between the mean SCORAD and EASI scores for each physician, in the two evaluations. There was a significant decrease in the mean total SCORAD and EASI score and its components, except for the item Upper Extremities EASI Conclusion: Both scoring systems for AD are valid, reproducible and responsive in monitoring AD patients. Further studies will be necessary to investigate the development of AD and the best evaluation. SCORAD showed itself to be an excellent score to detect the development of AD, where as the EASI are suitable to follow up in drug-effect studies of AD for research purposes

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[The methodology and planning of an educational intervention in diabetic foot]. / Metodologia e programmazione di un intervento educativo sul piede diabetico.

Diabetic foot is considered one of the most threatening and disabling complications for a diabetic patient: lesions of the extremities can become so severe that the person may risk the amputation of the toe, foot or leg. Methodology of planning and implementation of an educational intervention for the prevention of the diabetic foot is presented in its various steps: from the identification of priorities and contents to the problems and difficulties encountered in the implementation of the program.