Pre-determined Sites Research Articles

The effectiveness of a school-based protocol for environmental cleaning and disinfection during a pandemic: a randomized controlled pilot study

BackgroundSince no specific environmental cleaning instructions and methods have been developed for schools to tackle pandemics, and cleaning methods, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of a new effective school cleaning protocol in reducing the environmental contamination in kindergarten and primary school settings.MethodsThis study implemented a cluster randomized controlled trial with three-arms, namely two intervention arms - groups A and B, and one control arm – group C. The first intervention arm included the cleaning staff who would participate in an educational workshop and be equipped with disposable wipes, while the second arm, group B, participated in the educational workshop only. The third arm, group C, received no treatments.Results1080 sample points were collected from pre-determined sites in the study within the 6 schools. At the 2-week follow-up post-intervention assessment, all sites were found to be clean for group A that used disposable wipes, while group B, without disposable wipes, were found to have left more sites contaminated. Staphylococcus aureus was found in the sites cleaned by group C.ConclusionBased on the findings in this pilot study, a further study at a larger scale focusing on the education program with enhancement and use of the cleaning protocol can be conducted to train cleaning staff for effective environmental cleaning in a school setting.

Progress in the nerve ultrasound of inflammatory peripheral neuropathies

Objective: In recent years, high-resolution nerve ultrasound has been increasingly used as a complementary tool to nerve conduction studies in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathies. Inflammatory peripheral neuropathies include a heterogeneous group of neuropathies mainly including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies (CIDP), multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), systemic vasculitic neuropathy (SVN), and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). We describe the ultrasonic characteristics of different inflammatory neuropathies.
 Data sources and study selection: The MEDLINE database was searched to find studies on nerve sonography in inflammatory peripheral neuropathies. Reported studies up to December 2022 were included in this review.
 Results: In neuropathies, the changes in ultrasound include enlarged nerve size, nerve echo-intensity, fascicle diameter and vascularity. Most CIDP patients have moderately enlarged CSA, some have dramatically enlarged CSA, and few have CSA within the normal range. Since the enlargement patterns are different, ultrasound is useful to help differentiate CIDP from CMT1. In follow-ups after immune treatment, nerve CSAs in CIDP could decrease, increase, or remain unchanged. Regional enlargement next to normal segments predominated in MMN. Nerve enlargement and hyper vascularization were found in vasculitic neuropathy. In GBS patients, there were enlarged peripheral nerve and nerve roots, which became normal at follow-up.
 Conclusions: High-resolution nerve ultrasound is complementary to the diagnosis of inflammatory peripheral neuropathies. CSA enlargement and its distribution are the most useful and quantifiable parameters in the evaluation of peripheral nerves. For patients suspected to have inflammatory neuropathies, we advise measuring the CSA of several pre-determined sites in the median, ulnar nerve, C5-8 cervical roots, and brachial plexus.

Stock Status of a Few Small Indigenous Fish Species Exploited in the River Ganga, India

The River Ganga produces a substantial amount of its fish from small native species, defined here as those with a maximum length of 25 cm. The FiSAT program was utilized to estimate stock assessments of four important small indigenous species from the River Ganga: Johnius coitor, Cabdio morar, Salmostoma bacaila, and Gudusia chapra. Fish samples were collected monthly for a year (April 2020–May 2021) from four predetermined sampling sites along the River Ganga (Farakka, Berhampore, Balagarh, and Tribeni) in West Bengal, India. The estimated exploitation rate for Johnius coitor, Salmostoma bacaila, and Gudusia chapra was relatively lower than the optimum level of 0.5 and considerably lower than Emax values, indicating that their stocks are experiencing low fishing pressure in the region. The FiSAT results indicated that the species Cabdio morar was found to be heavily exploited. The total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M), and fishing mortality (F) rates for all four of the SIF species were examined, and they were contrasted with data from previous studies. On the lower stretch of the River Ganga, all of the fish stocks are optimally exploited (Eopt), except for the species Cabdio morar. The population dynamics of all of the species have been described for the first time on the lower stretch of the River Ganga. According to the findings, all of the fish stocks throughout the lower stretch of River Ganga are optimally exploited (Eopt), except for Cabdio morar. The study also emphasizes the importance of increasing sustainable fishing efforts, focusing on SIFs throughout the lower stretch of the River Ganga in order to safeguard the livelihood and nutritional status of fishermen.

Optimizing effector functions of monoclonal antibodies via tailored N-glycan engineering using a dual landing pad CHO targeted integration platform

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) eliminate cancer cells via various effector mechanisms including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), which are influenced by the N-glycan structures on the Fc region of mAbs. Manipulating these glycan structures on mAbs allows for optimization of therapeutic benefits associated with effector functions. Traditional approaches such as gene deletion or overexpression often lead to only all-or-nothing changes in gene expression and fail to modulate the expression of multiple genes at defined ratios and levels. In this work, we have developed a CHO cell engineering platform enabling modulation of multiple gene expression to tailor the N-glycan profiles of mAbs for enhanced effector functions. Our platform involves a CHO targeted integration platform with two independent landing pads, allowing expression of multiple genes at two pre-determined genomic sites. By combining with internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-based polycistronic vectors, we simultaneously modulated the expression of α-mannosidase II (MANII) and chimeric β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase III (cGNTIII) genes in CHO cells. This strategy enabled the production of mAbs carrying N-glycans with various levels of bisecting and non-fucosylated structures. Importantly, these engineered mAbs exhibited different degrees of effector cell activation and CDC, facilitating the identification of mAbs with optimal effector functions. This platform was demonstrated as a powerful tool for producing antibody therapeutics with tailored effector functions via precise engineering of N-glycan profiles. It holds promise for advancing the field of metabolic engineering in mammalian cells.

Comprehensive Analysis of Physiochemical Parameters in Lake Goverdhan Sagar: A Study on Water Quality Assessment

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical parameters in Lake Goverdhan Sagar, aiming to provide valuable insights into its current environmental status. Water samples were collected from various predetermined sampling sites across the lake during Jan 2023 to April 2023 different sampling stations and depths. A set of physicochemical parameters including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and major ion concentrations (such as chloride, sulfate, calcium, and magnesium) were analyzed using standard methods and instruments. The average Temperature of water was 28.57 °C, Colour and Odour disagreeable, and pH of lake was found with mean value of 8.7. During the study the mean value of BOD 3.96 ppm and COD 45.88 ppm was observed. The mean value of dissolved Oxygen (DO) 5.48 was found and satisfactory for the survival and growth of aquatic organisms. Similarly the mean value of nitrogen was determined as 7.24 ppm, which is under permissible limit. The hardness is mainly due to calcium and magnesium ions. During the study, mean value of total hardness, Calcium hardness and Magnesium hardness was observed as 30.82 ppm, 7.40 ppm and 23.43 ppm respectively, which are under permissible limits. Finding of lake water which recorded mean value of total alkalinity 253.58 ppm. During the study mean value of chloride content observed as 165.20 ppm which is below the permissible limit and Fluoride content 0.58 ppm was found as a mean value. According to study the high value of pH, EC and TDS characteristics of Goverdhan Sagar Lake shows its nutrient rich and alkaline nature. The water quality indicated that the water of lake is suitable for the fishery and gardening purpose. However, water of the lake was not found suitable for potable and domestic uses as the high value of bacterial load, bio-chemical oxygen demand and Chemical oxygen demand showed its high pollution status

Thia-Michael addition: the route to promising opportunities for fast and cysteine-specific modification.

Over the last few decades, design and discovery of chemical reactions that enable modification of proteins at pre-determined sites have been the focus of synthetic organic chemists. As an invaluable tool, the site-and chemoselective functionalization of peptides and proteins offers an exciting opportunity for creating high-value multicomponent conjugates with diverse applications in life sciences and pharmacology. In recent years, multiple strategies have emerged that target natural amino acids directly or convert them into other reactive species for further ligations. However, reactivity and selectivity are still key issues in the current state of chemical modification methodologies. Cysteine is one of the least abundant amino acids and exhibits unique chemistry of the thiol or thiolate group which makes it susceptible to a series of post-translational modifications. The thia-Michael "click" addition reactions, which can proceed under facile conditions provide a promising way for thiol-selective modification of cysteine-containing proteins. In this review, we summarize various reactions for cysteine-selective peptide and protein modification, focus on thia-Michael "click" addition reactions, elaborate on their historical perspective and mechanism, and highlight their applications in modifying biomolecules in a site-specific way.

Reliability and Validity of an Ultrasound-Based Protocol for Measurement of Quadriceps Muscle Thickness in Children.

Introduction and aims: Accurate determination of skeletal muscle size is of great importance in multiple settings including resistance exercise, aging, disease, and disuse. Ultrasound (US) measurement of muscle thickness (MT) is a method of relatively high availability and low cost. The present study aims to evaluate a multisite ultrasonographic protocol for measurement of MT with respect to reproducibility and correlation to gold-standard measurements of muscle volume (MV) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children. Material and methods: 15 children completed the study (11 ± 1 year, 41 ± 8 kg, 137 ± 35 cm). Following 20 min supine rest, two investigators performed US MT measurements of all four heads of the m. quadriceps femoris, at pre-determined sites. Subsequently, MRI scanning was performed and MV was estimated by manual contouring of individual muscle heads. Results: Ultrasound measurement of MT had an intra-rater reliability of ICC = 0.985–0.998 (CI 95% = 0.972–0.998) and inter-rater reliability of ICC = 0.868–0.964 (CI 95% = 0.637–0.983). The US examinations took less than 15 min, per investigator. Muscle thickness of all individual quadriceps muscles correlated significantly with their corresponding MV as measured by MRI (overall r = 0.789, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that US measurement of MT using a multisite protocol is a competitive alternative to MRI scanning, especially with respect to availability and time consumption. Therefore, US MT could allow for wider clinical and scientific implementation.

Pressure pain thresholds in a real-world chiropractic setting: topography, changes after treatment, and clinical relevance?

BackgroundChanges in pain sensitivity are a commonly suggested mechanism for the clinical effect of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). Most research has examined pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and has primarily been conducted in controlled experimental setups and on asymptomatic populations. Many important factors are likely to differ between research and clinical settings, which may affect PPT changes following SMT. Therefore, we planned to investigate PPT before and after clinical chiropractic care and investigate relationships with various potentially clinically-relevant factors.MethodsWe recruited participants from four Danish chiropractic clinics between May and August 2021. A total of 129 participants (72% of the invited) were included. We measured PPT at eight pre-determined test sites (six spinal and two extra-spinal) immediately before (pre-session) and immediately after (post-session) the chiropractic consultation.We used regression analyses to investigate PPT changes, including the following factors: (i) vertebral distance to the nearest SMT site, (ii) rapid clinical response, (iii) baseline PPT, (iv) number of SMTs performed, (v) at the region of clinical pain compared to other regions, and (vi) if other non-SMT treatment was provided. We also performed topographic mapping of pre-session PPTs.ResultsAfter the consultation, there was a non-significant mean increase in PPT of 0.14 kg (95% CIs = − 0.01 to 0.29 kg). No significant associations were found with the distance between the PPT test site and nearest SMT site, the clinical response of participants to treatment, the pre-session PPT, the total number of SMTs performed, or the region/s of clinical pain. A small increase was observed if myofascial treatment was also provided. Topographic mapping found greater pre-session PPTs in a caudal direction, not affected by the region/s of clinical pain.ConclusionsThis study of real-world chiropractic patients failed to demonstrate a substantial local or generalized increase in PPT following a clinical encounter that included SMT. This runs counter to prior laboratory research and questions the generalizability of highly experimental setups investigating the effect of SMT on PPT to clinical practice.

Effectiveness of a novel, non-intrusive, continuous-use air decontamination technology to reduce microbial contamination in clinical settings: a multi-centric study

Despite rigorous disinfection and fumigation, healthcare-associated infection (HAI) remains a significant concern in healthcare settings. We have developed a novel airborne-microbicidal technology 'ZeBox' which clears >99.999% of airborne microbial load under controlled laboratory conditions. To evaluate the clinical performance of ZeBox in reducing airborne and surface microbial load. The study was conducted in single-bed and multi-bed intensive care units (ICUs) of two hospitals. Airborne and surface microbial loads were sampled pre and post deployment of ZeBox at pre-determined sites. Statistical significance of the reduction was determined using the Mann-Whitney U-test. ZeBox brought statistically significant reduction of both airborne and surface bacterial and fungal load. In both hospital ICUs, airborne and surface bacterial load decreased by 90% and 75% on average respectively, providing a low bioburden zone of 10-15 feet diameter around the unit. The reduced microbial level was maintained during ZeBox's operation over several weeks. Most clinical bacterial isolates recovered from one of the hospitals were antibiotic resistant, highlighting ZeBox's ability to eliminate antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among others. ZeBox significantly reduces airborne and surface microbial burden in clinical settings. It thereby serves an unmet need for reducing the incidence of HAI.

Molecular Imprinting With Polyaniline on ENIG Finish PCB Electrodes for Electrochemical Detection of Melamine

Electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) leverage predetermined recognition sites (templates) for binding of analytes of interest, resulting in high selectivity and sensitivity, ease of preparation and portability. The choice of monomers and cross-linkers depends heavily on choice of substrate for in situ electropolymerization, and damage to the template caused by methods used to wash away the analyte after formation of MIP on the substrate result in limitations for batch-compatible synthesis methods of such sensors. In this paper, we describe a method to utilize low-cost ENIG finish PCB electrodes as electrochemical sensor substrates for detection of melamine, a common adulterant in milk, through molecular imprinting in polyaniline (PANI). The MIP was synthesized using chemical synthesis method and drop-casted onto the electrodes, thus realizing a low-cost fabrication method. Preliminary results for melamine detection are reported, along with performance evaluation of various synthesis methods to synthesize polyaniline.

Silica nanoparticles with encapsulated DNA (SPED) to trace the spread of pathogens in healthcare

BackgroundTo establish effective infection control protocols, understanding pathogen transmission pathways is essential. Non-infectious surrogate tracers may safely explore these pathways and challenge pre-existing assumptions. We used silica nanoparticles with encapsulated DNA (SPED) for the first time in a real-life hospital setting to investigate potential transmission routes of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the context of a prolonged outbreak.MethodsThe two study experiments took place in the 900-bed University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. A three-run ‘Patient experiment’ investigated pathogen transmission via toilet seats in a two-patient room with shared bathroom. First, various predetermined body and fomite sites in a two-bed patient room were probed at baseline. Then, after the first patient was contaminated with SPED at the subgluteal region, both patients sequentially performed a toilet routine. All sites were consequently swabbed again for SPED contamination. Eight hours later, further spread was tested at predefined sites in the patient room and throughout the ward. A two-run ‘Mobile device experiment’ explored the potential transmission by mobile phones and stethoscopes in a quasi-realistic setting. All SPED contamination statuses and levels were determined by real-time qPCR.ResultsOver all three runs, the ‘Patient experiment’ yielded SPED in 59 of 73 (80.8%) predefined body and environmental sites. Specifically, positivity rates were 100% on subgluteal skin, toilet seats, tap handles, and entertainment devices, the initially contaminated patients’ hands; 83.3% on patient phones and bed controls; 80% on intravenous pumps; 75% on toilet flush plates and door handles, and 0% on the initially not contaminated patients’ hands. SPED spread as far as doctor’s keyboards (66.6%), staff mobile phones (33.3%) and nurses’ keyboards (33.3%) after eight hours. The ‘Mobile device experiment’ resulted in 16 of 22 (72.7%) positive follow-up samples, and transmission to the second patient occurred in one of the two runs.ConclusionsFor the first time SPED were used to investigate potential transmission pathways in a real hospital setting. The results suggest that, in the absence of targeted cleaning, toilet seats and mobile devices may result in widespread transmission of pathogens departing from one contaminated patient skin region.

The effect of end-ischaemic normothermic machine perfusion on donor hepatic artery endothelial integrity.

Ex vivo normothermic machine liver perfusion (NMLP) involves artificial cannulation of vessels and generation of flow pressures. This could lead to shear stress-induced endothelial damage, predisposing to vascular complications, or improved preservation of donor artery quality. This study aims to assess the spatial donor hepatic artery (HA) endothelial quality downstream of the cannulation site after end-ischaemic NMLP. Remnant HA segments from the coeliac trunk up to the gastroduodenal artery branching were obtained after NMLP (n = 15) and after static cold storage (SCS) preservation (n = 15). Specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and sectioned at pre-determined anatomical sites downstream of the coeliac trunk. CD31 immunohistostaining was used to assess endothelial integrity by a 5-point ordinal scale (grade 0: intact endothelial lining, grade 5: complete denudation). Endothelial integrity after SCS was used as a control for the state of the endothelium at commencement of NMP. In the SCS specimens, regardless of the anatomical site, near complete endothelial denudation was present throughout the HA (median scores 4.5-5). After NMLP, significantly less endothelial loss in the distal HA was present compared to SCS grafts (NMLP vs. SCS: median grade 3 vs. 4.5; p = 0.042). In NMLP specimens, near complete endothelial denudation was present at the cannulation site in all cases (median grade: 5), with significantly less loss of the endothelial lining the further from the cannulation site (proximal vs. distal, median grade 5 vs. 3; p = 0.005). Loss of endothelial lining throughout the HA after SCS and at the cannulation site after NMLP suggests extensive damage related to surgical handling and preservation injury. Gradual improved endothelial lining along more distal sites of the HA after NMLP indicates potential for re-endothelialisation. The regenerative effect of NMLP on artery quality seems to occur to a greater extent further from the cannulation site. Therefore, arterial cannulation for machine perfusion of liver grafts should ideally be as proximal as possible on the coeliac trunk or aortic patch, while the site of anastomosis should preferentially be attempted distal on the common HA.

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Extracranial Cerebrovascular System.

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Extracranial Cerebrovascular System.

Life history, nesting behaviour, and social behaviour of Stigmaeopsis spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae)

ABSTRACT Stigmaeopsis mites are voracious feeders of bamboo plants, Pleioblastus spp., Miscanthus spp., and Sasa spp. Fifteen species of the genus Stigmaeopsis have been reported worldwide. Their life history is affected by temperature and they can have many generations overlap in their nests under favourable conditions. Stigmaeopsis species overwinter as only adult stages in temperate zones. Males kill conspecific males to mate with unmated females. Most Stigmaeopsis mites defaecate at pre-determined sites, which differ among species. Stigmaeopsis mites determine defaecation sites through volatile chemical cues or tactile stimuli. Herein, we discuss advances in the understanding of aspects of Stigmaeopsis mite biology and behaviour, such as life history, life types, reproduction, overwintering, nest building and sizing, defaecation, mating, and defence against predators. We conclude that there is a paucity in the literature concerning the biological traits of Stigmaeopsis. Furthermore, we suggest that additional research be performed on the effects of temperature, geographic distribution, and biological and chemical control on the species of this genus.

Intra-vessel heterogeneity establishes enhanced sites of macromolecular leakage downstream of laminin α5.

Endothelial cells display heterogeneous properties based on location and function. How this heterogeneity influences endothelial barrier stability both between and within vessel subtypes is unexplored. In this study, we find that endothelial cells exhibit heterogeneous barrier properties on inter-organ and intra-vessel levels. Using intravital microscopy and sequential stimulation of the ear dermis with vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) and/or histamine, we observe distinct, reappearing sites, common for both agonists, where leakage preferentially takes place. Through repetitive stimulation of the diaphragm and trachea, we find inter-organ conservation of such predetermined leakage sites. Qualitatively, predetermined sites display distinct leakage properties and enhanced barrier breakdown compared to less susceptible regions. Mechanistically, laminin α5 is reduced at predetermined sites, which is linked to reduced junctional vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and enhanced VEGFA-induced VE-cadherin phosphorylation. These data highlight functional intra-vessel heterogeneity that defines predetermined sites with distinct leakage properties and that may disproportionately impact pathological vascular leakage.

Numerical simulation of flash evaporation in the presence of secondary nucleation

Rapid depressurization of a stagnant liquid below its prevailing saturation brings it to a metastable superheated state. Thermodynamic equilibrium is regained through a rapid evaporation or flashing which starts in a thin layer at the free surface and continues to propagate downward by nucleation and evaporation in the subsequent layers of superheated liquid below it. Secondary nucleation (from spurious locations) in the bulk of the superheated liquid or from the wall of the container uniquely affects the propagation of the free surface evaporating front.We computationally simulate the propagation of evaporating front in the presence of secondary nucleations, adopting a one dimensional, compressible two-phase flow model with diffuse interface. For simulating secondary nucleation at pre-determined sites, vapour density is assumed at the location and active interface is imposed locally.Secondary nucleation is noted to slow down the propagation of the evaporating front while the effect is more prominent with the proximity of the site. The secondary phase change interface is observed to grow towards the primary one and has a higher velocity as has been reported in different experiments. Secondary nucleation also hinders the propagation of the wave reflected back from the end of the domain. We also discuss some limitations of the model.

Optical Recognition of Sulfamethoxazole by a Colored Chiral Nematic Imprinted Film.

In this article, an alterable structural color in the reflected light of a chiral nematic imprinted film was fabricated. Bio-template nanocrystalline celluloses were applied as structural oriented templates. Selectivity of the sensor was endowed by the molecular imprinting process which applied sulfamethoxazoles (SMXs) as template molecules, urea and phenol as double functional monomers, and formaldehyde as cross-linkers. The sensor exhibited a chiral nematic blue mesoporous structure, which could selectively recognize SMXs on account of the abundant predetermined rebinding sites. Once SMXs were detected, the sensor showed a visible color variance from blue to yellow and the sensitive concentration range was from 3.9 × 10-3 to 3.9 mmol L-1. Both quantitative analyses, selective testing and recycling performance of the sensor were demonstrated. This optical response to SMXs can provide a portable, low-cost and easy-to-use strategy for the convenient detection of SMXs.

Marginal and internal fit evaluation of conventional metal-ceramic versus zirconia CAD/CAM crowns.

The purpose of this in vivo study was to compare the marginal and internal gap widths of monolithic zirconia crowns fabricated by CAD/CAM technique and metal-ceramic crowns fabricated by conventional technique. 10 participants needing a single restoration were selected. Zirconia crowns using CAD/CAM technology (Group A) (n=10) and metal-ceramic crowns (Group B) (n=10) using lost wax casting technique were fabricated for each selected tooth. The marginal and internal gaps of crowns were recorded using a replica technique with light body silicone material stabilized with a regular set putty. Each replica was sectioned buccolingually and mesiodistally and then evaluated at five pre-determined sites. The points measured were PM for marginal gap, PA for axial gap, PAO for axio-occlusal transition gap and PO and PCO for occlusal gaps using a stereomicroscope at 30× magnification. The Paired Sample (t) test was used to detect significant differences between the two groups in terms of marginal and internal fit (α= 0.05). The mean for the marginal gap was 77.42μm (±39.5μm) for Group A compared with 95.86μm (±55.12μm) for Group B. Mean values for internal gap was 87.24 (±21.7 µm) for Group A and 132.91 µm (± 50.63 µm) for Group B. Significant differences were observed between both the groups for marginal (p=.010) and internal (p=.000) fit. The CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia crowns demonstrated a better accuracy of fit when compared to metal-ceramic crowns fabricated by conventional technology. Key words:Marginal fit, Internal fit, Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

Marginal and internal fit evaluation of conventional metal-ceramic versus zirconia CAD/CAM crowns

BackgroundThe purpose of this in vivo study was to compare the marginal and internal gap widths of monolithic zirconia crowns fabricated by CAD/CAM technique and metal-ceramic crowns fabricated by conventional technique. Material and Methods10 participants needing a single restoration were selected. Zirconia crowns using CAD/CAM technology (Group A) (n=10) and metal-ceramic crowns (Group B) (n=10) using lost wax casting technique were fabricated for each selected tooth. The marginal and internal gaps of crowns were recorded using a replica technique with light body silicone material stabilized with a regular set putty. Each replica was sectioned buccolingually and mesiodistally and then evaluated at five pre-determined sites. The points measured were PM for marginal gap, PA for axial gap, PAO for axio-occlusal transition gap and PO and PCO for occlusal gaps using a stereomicroscope at 30× magnification. The Paired Sample (t) test was used to detect significant differences between the two groups in terms of marginal and internal fit (α= 0.05). ResultsThe mean for the marginal gap was 77.42μm (±39.5μm) for Group A compared with 95.86μm (±55.12μm) for Group B. Mean values for internal gap was 87.24 (±21.7 µm) for Group A and 132.91 µm (± 50.63 µm) for Group B. Significant differences were observed between both the groups for marginal (p=.010) and internal (p=.000) fit. ConclusionsThe CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia crowns demonstrated a better accuracy of fit when compared to metal-ceramic crowns fabricated by conventional technology. Key words:Marginal fit, Internal fit, Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

Assessment of Skin Properties in Chronic Lymphedema: Measurement of Skin Stiffness, Percentage Water Content, and Transepidermal Water Loss.

Background: Lymphedema (LE) is a chronic progressive protein-rich edema of the soft tissues. Measurement of extracellular fluid of the affected limbs is widely used in detecting LE; however, quantification of the skin alterations and early tissue changes in LE lacks approaches. Methods and Results: Ninety-one patients with LE were assessed. Measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin stiffness (SF), and percentage water content (PWC) was assessed on five predetermined skin sites. The value of TEWL, SF, and PWC increased significantly in lymphedematous skin compare with controls, indicating damaged function and texture of the affected skin. Both PWC ratio and SF ratio strongly correlated with LE stage. High correlations were found among instruments assessing tissue fluid. Conclusions: Assessment of the skin parameters has contributed new information about the functional and structural alterations in chronic lymphedematous skin. Quantification of skin properties changes could be a valuable supplement to diagnosis and evaluation of chronic LE.