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Effect of Access Cavity Preparation and Cement on the Fracture Load of Translucent Zirconia Crowns
Get PDFPurpose: To evaluate the effect of endodontic access hole preparation and choice of luting cement on the fracture resistance of translucent zirconia (5Y) crowns. Materials and Methods: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) dies, representing a prepared maxillary molar tooth, were milled. Translucent zirconia crowns were milled from 5Y (Cercon XTML) zirconia discs and sintered. Forty crowns were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) based on access hole preparation (accessed, non-accessed) and type of luting cement (resin cement, resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cement). Crowns were cemented on the PMMA dies with either resin cement (Panavia SA Cement Universal, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.) or RMGI cement (RelyX Luting Plus, 3M, US) under constant weight (500 g) and incubated (37°C) for twenty-four hours. In half of the samples, a uniform endodontic access hole was created using a diamond bur under water irrigation and restored immediately using resin composite (Filtek Supreme Ultra, 3M ESPE). The fracture resistance of the specimens was tested on an Instron 5566 universal testing machine with a stainless-steel ball indenter and the maximum load before failure was recorded as fracture load (N). Two-way ANOVA testing examined the effect of access hole preparation and luting cement on fracture load of the crowns. Statistical tests were two-sided and significance level was set at 95% (α = 0.05). Results: Fracture load was significantly affected by access hole preparation and choice of luting cement (p \u3c 0.001). Pairwise comparisons revealed that access hole preparation significantly reduced the fracture load of all specimens, regardless of the type of cement used. When resin cement was used, the fracture load was increased in the accessed and non-accessed specimens. Conclusion: Access hole preparation and type of luting cement had significant effects on the fracture load of translucent zirconia crowns
Efficiency of Removing a Novel Radiopaque Smear Layer Using Different Activation Instruments
No full textIntroduction: This study quantitively compared the efficiency of removing a novel radiopaque smear layer using different activation instruments. Methods: 60 extracted human mandibular premolars with single canals were decoronated, accessed, instrumented with rotary files to the working length, and radiographed. The root canal was filled with a solution containing insoluble lead salts, in order to impregnate the smear layer, making it radiopaque. All teeth were radiographed to confirm the presence of a radiopaque smear layer. Activation of 6% NaOCl was completed using one of four techniques on 15 teeth each; (1) manual agitation, (2) EndoActivator (EA), (3) SmartLite Pro EndoActivator (SLPEA), and (4) an ultrasonic activator (UA) before taking final radiographs. Analysis of smear layer removal was performed radiographically using ImageJ for the entire canal, as well as its apical 3mm. Results: Removal of the smear layer along the entire canal was significantly better for UA and manual agitation (p \u3c 0.05), 92% and 90% respectively. SLPEA was slightly better at removing smear layer (77%) than EA (71%), although this was not statistically significant. In the apical 3mm, no significant difference was observed in smear layer removal between all methods of activation. Conclusion: Ultrasonic and manual agitation were significantly better at removing the smear layer along the entire canal than EA and SLPEA. In the apical 3mm, all irrigation techniques were equally effective at smear removal. Funding was provided by LSU Health Science Center
Adaptive deep brain stimulation targeting the subthalamic nucleus in a patient with Parkinson\u27s disease: A CARE compliant case report
No full textRATIONALE: Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) represents a notable advancement in treating Parkinson\u27s disease (PD), as it offers enhanced therapeutic outcomes and personalized management by adjusting stimulation parameters in real-time according to individual neural signals. This approach minimizes adverse effects commonly associated with standard continuous deep brain stimulation (cDBS). This case report describes the progress of a 62-year-old man with severe PD who demonstrated notable enhancement in motor symptoms and quality of life throughout a 3-month trial period using aDBS. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 62-year-old man who has been suffering from Parkinson\u27s disease. DIAGNOSES: The patient had been diagnosed with PD for 10 years. The patient\u27s motor symptoms, including dyskinesia during the on-state and akinesia during the off-state, progressively worsened over time. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent bilateral subthalamic nuclei DBS surgery with cDBS. Following progressive worsening of motor symptoms, he was transitioned to aDBS. OUTCOMES: The aDBS system adaptively modified stimulation parameters by utilizing real-time neural feedback from beta band activity detected in the subthalamic nucleus, resulting in decreased dyskinesia and reduced reliance on medication. The customized strategy led to a significant improvement in motor symptoms, a reduction in dyskinesia, and an overall enhancement in quality of life during the 3-month trial period. LESSONS: Existing evidence highlights the ability of aDBS to improve motor control and reduce problems associated with DBS, such as speech and gait abnormalities. Research findings have demonstrated significant improvements in motor scores and a reduction in stimulation time, highlighting the effectiveness of aDBS and its ability to prolong the lifespan of devices
Ultrasound Detection of Pulseless Rhythm with Echocardiographic Motion (PREM) in Prehospital Cardiac Arrest: A Case-Series
No full textObjectives: This case series highlights the utility of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) during cardiac arrest pulse checks, and how this tool can be used to identify Pulseless Rhythm with Echocardiographic Motion (PREM), also known as pseudo-pulseless electrical activity (PEA), and the potential changes in prehospital resuscitation management based on that finding. Methods: We’ve documented four cases of PREM identification in the prehospital field to draw attention to this phenomenon and ideally serve as a blueprint for other agencies to adopt PREM-specific protocols. Results: This case series demonstrates how cardiac visualization alters patient management in the setting of cardiac arrest. Each of the cases presented is unique in presentation and treatment. The use of POCUS has opened a door to the possibility of adopting prehospital guidelines for the management of PREM in prehospital cardiac arrest and subsequently more tailored treatment of patients. Conclusions: Use of portable ultrasound in prehospital cardiac arrest highlights a large gap in our understanding and treatment of PREM. While these patients all ultimately died, their cases highlight the opportunity for more appropriate care, both prehospital and in-hospital. Because literature has posited that PEA is a more complex cardiac rhythm than previously thought, we are suggesting that pre-hospital cardiac arrest care guidelines reflect our current body of understanding. These cases emphasize the importance of emergency medical service (EMS) POCUS use and supports a transition to hands-free, or ultrasound-guided, pulse checks during cardiac arrest. More research is needed regarding the etiology of Pulseless Rhythm with Echocardiographic Standstill (PRES) versus PREM, what treatment guidelines would be best in cases of PREM, and how we can implement PREM recognition to health care personnel of all levels on a national scale
International, Multispecialty Expert Consensus on Nomenclature for Facial Paralysis
No full textBackground: Variable terminology is used in the literature to describe facial synkinesis and hypertonicity following incomplete recovery from facial paralysis and its associated medical and surgical treatments. Study Objectives: Establish a nomenclature consensus for this condition among a group of facial nerve experts. Design Type: Consensus study. Methods: Using modified Delphi methodology, an international, multidisciplinary group of facial nerve experts reviewed the terminology for the name of the clinical condition and treatments of interest. Online surveys and a virtual discussion were performed to establish consensus, defined a priori as agreement by 80% of the group. Results: Twenty-five facial nerve experts established consensus after three Delphi rounds. Consensus terminology for the condition is “facial synkinesis” with 84% agreement. Medical treatment is termed “chemodenervation” with 100% agreement. Surgical treatments including “selective facial neurectomy,” “selective facial neurotomy,” “selective facial myectomy,” and “selective facial myotomy,” were defined and reached agreement of 100%. Conclusions: This international group of facial nerve experts has recommended standardized nomenclature for the condition of facial synkinesis and its various treatments. While “facial synkinesis” reached consensus as the preferred term, some experts noted it may insufficiently describe the full clinical spectrum, which includes muscle hypertonicity, weakness, and spontaneous twitching
Katherine Diodene Interview
No full textThis interview of Katherine Diodene was conducted by Chandler Smith on October 17, 2025. Interview transcribed by Sam Howat.https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/oral_hist/1024/thumbnail.jp
Julio Figueroa Interview
No full textThis interview of Julio Figueroa was conducted by Chandler Smith on October 17, 2025. Interview transcribed by Sam Howat.https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/oral_hist/1025/thumbnail.jp
Dental Microwear and Diets of Late Miocene Primates From Rudabánya, Hungary
No full textObjectives: This study focuses on a dental microwear texture analysis of European pliopithecids and dryopithecins from the Miocene primate site of Rudabánya, Hungary. The goal is to determine whether these taxa, found in part together in the same deposits, differed in their food preferences, or at least consumed, on a daily basis, in a manner that might have facilitated sympatry. Materials and Methods: Here we report on a molar surface texture analysis of all available fossil primates from Rudabánya that preserve antemortem microwear. This includes both Anapithecus hernyaki (n = 14) and Rudapithecus hungaricus (n = 5, including one from Alsótelekes). Scanning confocal profilometry was used to generate point clouds, and texture complexity and anisotropy values were compared between the fossil taxa and contextualized with published data for an extant baseline series. Results: Texture complexity and anisotropy values for both samples fall within the range of extant frugivorous primates. Further, while anisotropy does not differ between the fossil taxa, Rudapithecus has a significantly higher complexity average than Anapithecus. Discussion: The difference in microwear texture complexity suggests that Rudapithecus individuals studied here consumed harder foods on average than did Anapithecus individuals did. This is consistent with the notion that dietary differences may have played a role in the niche separation of these taxa
Seasonal Variability in Odontogenic Infections Requiring Surgical Intervention in the Operating Room: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
No full text107th AAOMS Annual Meeting, September 15 -20, 2025, Washington, D
Predictors of success among accelerated bachelor of science in nursing students: A retrospective study
No full textBackground: Accelerated second-degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs attract students with diverse academic backgrounds and experiences. Understanding the factors that contribute to student success is essential for improving retention and program effectiveness. While prior research has explored predictors of success in traditional BSN programs, limited data exists on accelerated BSN students. Aim: This study aimed to describe the factors predicting the success of students enrolled in an accelerated second-degree BSN program. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 273 accelerated BSN students. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and academic characteristics. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess predictors of on-time graduation. Independent variables included gender, age, ethnicity, overall pre-requisite GPA, science GPA, type of prior degree, and type of secondary institution. Results: Demographic variables (gender, age, ethnicity) were not significant predictors of on-time graduation. Students under 25 years of age showed a non-significant trend towards a higher likelihood of graduating on time. Among admission criteria, science GPA was a significant predictor of on-time graduation (p = .010), while overall pre-requisite GPA was not. The type of prior degree (science vs. non-science) did not influence on-time graduation. However, students who attended a university for their prior degree had significantly higher odds of on-time graduation compared to those who attended a college (Exp(B) = 0.544, p = .045). Conclusion: Even though this study was performed at a single institution, limiting its generalizability, science GPA and the type of secondary institution attended were significant predictors of on-time graduation in accelerated BSN students, while demographic characteristics and prior degree type were not. These findings highlight the importance of academic preparedness in science-related coursework and institutional factors in student success. Future research should explore non-cognitive factors and program structures to enhance retention and graduation rates