Extraction of maxillary first molars improves second and third molar inclinations in Class II Division 1 malocclusion

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in inclination of the maxillary second (M2) and third (M3) molars after orthodontic treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion with extraction of maxillary first molars.

Three-dimensional portable document format: a simple way to present 3-dimensional data in an electronic publication

Three-dimensional (3D) models of teeth and soft and hard tissues are tessellated surfaces used for diagnosis, treatment planning, appliance fabrication, outcome evaluation, and research. In scientific publications or communications with colleagues, these 3D data are often reduced to 2-dimensional pictures or need special software for visualization. The portable document format (PDF) offers a simple way to interactively display 3D surface data without additional software other than a recent version of Adobe Reader (Adobe, San Jose, Calif). The purposes of this article were to give an example of how 3D data and their analyses can be interactively displayed in 3 dimensions in electronic publications, and to show how they can be exported from any software for diagnostic reports and communications among colleagues.

Long-term effectiveness of canine-to-canine bonded flexible spiral wire lingual retainers

The flexible spiral wire (FSW) canine-to-canine lingual retainer bonded to all 6 anterior teeth is a frequently used type of mandibular fixed retainer. This study aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness of FSW canine-to-canine lingual retainers in maintaining the alignment of the mandibular anterior teeth after orthodontic treatment.

Release of bisphenol-A from a light-cured adhesive bonded to lingual fixed retainers

Our aim was to quantitatively determine the bisphenol-A (BPA) released from a light-cured orthodontic adhesive used to bond lingual fixed retainers.

The Contegra bovine jugular vein graft versus the Shelhigh pulmonic porcine graft for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract: a comparative study

Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract plays a major role in congenital cardiac surgery. With the advent of the Contegra bovine jugular vein graft and the Shelhigh pulmonic xenograft, hopes were high that the lack of availability of homografts would be overcome. The present study evaluated both grafts and investigated the influence of known risk factors for premature graft failure.

Eosinophil and neutrophil extracellular DNA traps in human allergic asthmatic airways

Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory airway disorder that involves eosinophilic and noneosinophilic phenotypes. Unlike in healthy lungs, eosinophils are often present in atopic asthmatic airways, although a subpopulation of asthmatic subjects predominantly experience neutrophilic inflammation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that eosinophils and neutrophils generate bactericidal extracellular traps consisting of DNA and cytotoxic granule proteins.

Eosinophil extracellular DNA traps in skin diseases

In the skin, eosinophils are found in a broad spectrum of diseases, including infectious diseases.

Ideal site for ventricular anchoring of artificial chordae in mitral regurgitation

Surgical treatment of mitral leaflet prolapse using artificial neochordae shows excellent outcomes. Upcoming devices attempt the same treatment in a minimally invasive way but target the left ventricular apex as an anchoring point, rather than the tip of the corresponding papillary muscle. In this study, cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare these 2 different anchoring positions and their dynamic relationship with the mitral leaflets.

Individual IL-3 priming is crucial for consistent in vitro activation of donor basophils in patients with chronic urticaria

The in vivo autologous serum skin test (ASST) is the diagnostic gold standard to detect autoantibodies against FcεRI or IgE itself, as well as other autoreactive serum components, in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU). Coincubation of patient sera with donor basophils and measuring their degranulation in vitro could be a safe alternative but has shown inconsistent results.

Analysis of functional and anatomic success following endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy

The aim of this study was to assess the concomitant perioperative procedures, the causes of nasolacrimal duct obstruction, the success rate, and the complications associated with endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (ENDCR).

Ten-year comparison of pericardial tissue valves versus mechanical prostheses for aortic valve replacement in patients younger than 60 years of age

Aortic valve replacement using a tissue valve is controversial for patients younger than 60 years old. The long-term survival in this age group, the expected event rates during long-term follow-up, and valve-related complications are not clearly determined.

Risk of target lesion failure in relationship to vessel angiographic geometry and stent conformability using the second generation of drug-eluting stents

Vessel angulation and large changes in vessel geometry after stent implantation have been associated with an increased risk of target lesion failure (TLF) using bare-metal stents. Second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES)offer superior conformability and inhibition of neointima. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between pre and post-implant vessel geometry and the occurrence of TLF at 1 year after treatment with second-generation DES; and to compare the conformability of Resolute and Xience stents.

Long-term tissue coverage of a biodegradable polylactide polymer-coated biolimus-eluting stent: comparative sequential assessment with optical coherence tomography until complete resorption of the polymer

Biolimus-eluting stents (BESs) with a biodegradable polymer in abluminal coating achieve more complete coverage at 9 months compared with sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) with a durable polymer, as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Whether this advantage persists or augments after complete resorption of the polymer (>12 months) is unknown.