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Blinded Examiner (blinded + examiner)
Selected Abstracts585-nm Pulsed Dye Laser in the Treatment of Surgical Scars Starting on the Suture Removal DayDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 1 2003Keyvan Nouri MD Background The optimal time frame to improve the quality and cosmetic appearance of scars by laser therapy has not been clearly elucidated by prior controlled clinical trials. Objective To determine the efficacy of the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of surgical scars starting on the day of suture removal. Methods Eleven patients (skin types I,IV) with 12 postoperative linear scars that were greater than 2 cm were treated three times on monthly intervals with the 585-nm PDL (450 ,s, 10-mm spot size, 3.5 J/cm2 with 10% overlap) on one scar half, whereas the other half received no treatment. Scars were later evaluated by a blinded examiner using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) for pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and height. Scars were then blindly examined for cosmetic appearance using a visual analog scale. Results One month after the last treatment, final scar analysis by the blinded examiner revealed a significant difference between treated and untreated sites, with the treated halves scoring better in all scar parameters in the VSS and in cosmetic appearance. The treated halves demonstrated an overall average improvement in the VSS between the first treatment score and the final score of 54% versus 10% in the controls (P=0.0002). The cosmetic appearance score (0=worst; 10=best) at final assessment was significantly better for the treated scars, scoring 7.3 versus the averaged control score of 5.2 (P=0.016). Conclusion The 585-nm PDL is effective and safe in improving the quality and cosmetic appearance of surgical scars in skin types I,IV starting on the day of suture removal. [source] Detection of in vitro demineralization of primary teeth using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 3 2002I. A. Pretty Summary. Introduction. With the advent of remineralizing therapies and the new, conservative approach to restoration placement, interest in detecting and monitoring subclinical, precavitated lesions has increased. The increased understanding of clinicians about the processes of primary and secondary prevention and the detection of lesions to which these therapies may be applied, is one of the current goals in caries management. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) is a new method for the detection of very early caries. Objectives. To determine the ability of QLF to detect and longitudinally monitor in vitro enamel demineralization. To present the device to the paediatric community and present future in vivo uses of the device. Design. An in vitro study with combined in vivo pilot. Sample and methods. Twelve previously extracted, caries free, primary molars were selected and prepared. Two teeth were randomly selected as controls. Teeth were prepared by gentle pumicing and coating in an acid-resistant nail-varnish, except for an exposed window on the buccal surface. QLF baseline images were taken and the teeth then exposed to a demineralizing solution. Teeth were removed at regular intervals (24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h), air-dried and QLF images taken. QLF images were analysed by a single, blinded examiner (to control, to length of exposure). Mineral loss, as measured by ,Q, was recorded. Results. Demineralization was noted in all experimental teeth by 48 h, and within 24 h in six teeth. The QLF successfully monitored the increase in mineral loss over time (P < 0·05). The detected lesions were not visible clinically until 144 h and then in only the most severe lesions. No demineralization was detected by QLF in control teeth. The device was user- and patient-friendly in vivo, detecting subclinical lesions. Conclusion. Detection of very early mineral loss and subsequent monitoring of this loss is possible in primary teeth using QLF. The device is well suited to use in paediatric dentistry and offers applications for both clinicians and researchers. The determination of the status of carious lesions (active/inactive) will be possible with readings taken at recall appointments. [source] Effects of low-level laser therapy on collagen expression and neutrophil infiltrate in 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamstersLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Nilza Nelly Fontana Lopes DDS Abstract Background and Objectives Several studies have suggested that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can ameliorate oral mucositis; however, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of action of LLLT on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, as related to effects on collagen expression and inflammation. Materials and Methods A hamster cheek pouch model of oral mucositis was used with all animals receiving intraperitoneal 5-fluorouracil, followed by surface irritation. Animals were randomly allocated into three groups, and treated with an InGaAIP diode laser at a wavelength of 660,nm and output power of 35 or 100,mW laser, or no laser. Clinical severity of mucositis was assessed at four time-points by a blinded examiner. Buccal pouch tissue was harvested from a subgroup of animals in each group at four time-points. Collagen was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated after picrosirius staining. The density of the neutrophil infiltrate was also scored. Results Peak clinical severity of mucositis was reduced in the 35,mW laser group as compared to the 100,mW and control groups. The reduced peak clinical severity of mucositis in the 35,mW laser group was accompanied by a decrease in the number of neutrophils and an increase in the proportion of mature collagen as compared to the other two groups. The total quantity of collagen was significantly higher in the control (no laser) group at the day 11 time-point, as compared to the 35,mW laser group, consistent with a more prolonged inflammatory response in the control group. Conclusion This study supports two mechanisms of action for LLLT in reducing mucositis severity. The increase in collagen organization in response to the 35,mW laser indicates that LLLT promotes wound healing. In addition, LLLT also appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect, as evidenced by the reduction in neutrophil infiltrate. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:546,552, 2010. © 2010 Wiley,Liss, Inc. [source] A comparison between immediate loading and immediate restoration in cases of partial posterior mandibular edentulism: a 3-year randomized clinical trialCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 7 2010Marco Degidi Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the survival rate, the bone loss and soft-tissue healing patterns of immediately loaded and immediately restored implants in cases of partial posterior mandibular edentulism. Material and methods: Fifty patients with partial posterior mandibular edentulism were randomly selected for two treatments: 25 were included in the immediate loading group (test) and 25 in the immediate restoration group (control). All implants were placed in healed sites with a torque of >25 N cm. The temporary prosthesis of the immediate restoration group was placed so as to avoid occlusal contact in centric and lateral excursions. Both groups received fully occluding final restorations 6 months after surgery. Mean marginal bone loss was assessed at 6-, 12-, 24- and 36-month follow-up examinations by a blinded examiner. Results: A total of 100 implants were placed in the period between February 2004 and October 2006, of which 42 (42%) were for men and 58 (58%) for women. Five and 7 weeks after surgery, mobility of one implant was assessed in one (4%) patient in the test group and one (4%) patient in the control group, respectively. At the 36-month follow-up, the accumulated mean marginal bone loss was 0.987 mm (SD=0.375) for the immediate restoration group (n=48) and 0.947 mm (SD=0.323) for the immediate loading group (n=48). There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) for the tested outcome measures between the two procedures. Conclusions: This study was unable to detect any statistically significant difference in the survival rate, bone loss and soft tissue healing patterns between the immediately loaded and the immediately restored implants in cases of partial posterior mandibular edentulism. The immediate temporary rehabilitation of the partially edentulous posterior mandible is a predictable procedure using both procedures. To cite this article: Degidi M, Nardi D, Piattelli A. A comparison between immediate loading and immediate restoration in cases of partial posterior mandibular edentulism: a 3-year randomized clinical trial. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 682,687. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2009.01910.x [source] Independent Component Analysis Removing Artifacts in Ictal RecordingsEPILEPSIA, Issue 9 2004Elena Urrestarazu Summary:,Purpose: Independent component analysis (ICA) is a novel algorithm able to separate independent components from complex signals. Studies in interictal EEG demonstrate its usefulness to eliminate eye, muscle, 50-Hz, electrocardiogram (ECG), and electrode artifacts. The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ICA in removing artifacts in ictal recordings with a known EEG onset. Methods: We studied 20 seizures of nine patients with focal epilepsy monitored in our video-EEG monitoring unit. ICA was applied to remove obvious artifacts in segments at the beginning of the seizure. The final EEGs were exported to the original format and were compared with the original EEG by two blinded examiners. We compared original recordings and the samples cleaned by digital filters (DFs), ICA and ICA plus digital filters (ICA + DFs), evaluating the possibility of finding an ictal pattern, the localization of the onset in area and time, and the global quality of the sample. Results: All the recordings except one (95%) improved after the use of ICA for the elimination of blinking and other artifacts. Three seizures were found in which in the original recordings did not permit us to detect an ictal pattern, and after ICA + DFs, an ictal onset was evident; in two of them, ICA alone was able to show this pattern. The best results in all the scores were obtained with ICA + DF. ICA was better than DFs. The agreement between the two reviewers was highly significant. Conclusions: ICA is useful to remove artifacts from ictal recordings. When applied to ictal recordings, it increases the quality of the recording. In some cases, ICA may be useful to show ictal onsets obscured by artifacts. ICA + DFs obtained the best results regarding removal of the artifacts. [source] Intraepidermal innervation and tail nerve conduction velocity in neurotoxicity models: results of a correlation study in normal and pathological conditionsJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 2 2004M Borgna Animal models of human diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system are widely used to assess the pathogenesis of neurotoxicity and to compare the effect of new agents. Several behavioural, pathological and neurophysiological methods have been used, and each has advantages and disadvantages. A major goal in the study of neurotoxicity would be to assess the damage in the same way in animal models and in humans. In this study we correlated the neurophysiological results obtained in normal rats and in rats treated with cisplatin 2 mg/kg q3d × 8 with the density of intraepidermal fibers (IEF) obtained in skin biopsy specimens. The aim was to investigate the possible role of a minimally invasive procedure such as skin biopsy as an alternative method to assess the peripheral neurotoxicity of antineoplastic drugs. The nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in the tail nerve was assessed in thirty-six young adult female Wistar rats which were left untreated, or treated with erythropoietin (EPO), cisplatin (CDDP) or EPO + CDDP. CDDP and CDDP + EPO-treated rats had a significantly reduced NCV vs. age-matched untreated rats. At sacrifice, skin specimens were obtained. The density of IEF was calculated by 2 independent blinded examiners and the correlation existing between NCV and IEF was highly significant (r = 0.670, p < 0.001). This preliminary result suggests that IEF should be evaluated in other animal models and might represent a useful tool to study peripheral neurotoxicity also in humans. [source] | ||||||||||