Abstract Objective: To evaluate the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla following low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with 810-980 nm wavelengths. Material and Methods: In the current triple-blind clinical trial, 84 patients received a total of 168 infiltration anesthesia injections (1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine plus 1:100,000 epinephrine) in the anterior maxilla. Each patient received two injections into the buccal mucosa of the right and left central incisors with a two-week interval. One injection was performed after LLLT, while the other injection was administered conventionally without laser. The pain level was measured immediately after injection using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: There was a significant difference in the pain level experienced with and without LLLT, such that the mean pain score following LLLT was significantly lower than that without LLLT (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the pain level between laser and no laser groups in males, but the difference in this regard was significant in females (p<0.05) and female patients experienced a significantly lower level of pain following LLLT. Conclusion: The low-level laser therapy can be successfully used to decrease the level of pain experienced during infiltration anesthesia of the anterior maxilla.

Abstract Objective: To assess the patterns of mandibular third molar impaction in an Iranian subpopulation. Material and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study evaluated 1000 panoramic radiographs retrieved from the archives of a private radiology clinic in Kermanshah city, Iran. Depth of impaction, position of impacted mandibular third molar relative to the mandibular ramus according to Pell and Gregory’s classification and angle of impacted tooth according to Winter’s classification were determined. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Of 1000 radiographs, 230 (23%) showed an impaction of at least one mandibular third molar. Mandibular third molar impaction was more common in females (60%). Mesioangular (35.9%) and vertical (34.8%) impactions were the most common angles of impaction in the right and left sides, respectively. Level C (40.3%) and Class I (63.7%) were the most common types of impaction in terms of depth of impaction and position relative to ramus, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the right and left sides of the mandible in terms of patterns of mandibular third molar impaction (p>0.05). Conclusion: Mandibular third molar impaction was relatively common in the studied population. The mesioangular, level C and Class I impaction patterns were the most frequent.

Abstract Objective: To assess the effect of experience in landmark identification on two-dimensional (2D) lateral cephalograms on performance of dental students concerning landmark identification on three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Material and Methods: This quasi-experimental study evaluated 40 dental students in two groups (n=20). Group 1 included senior dental students who had experience in landmark identification on 2D lateral cephalograms and Group 2 included third-year dental students with no such experience. Both groups received instructions on identification of eight landmarks on 3D CBCT scans. The coordinates of the landmarks were determined in x, y and z axes. One orthodontist determined the mean coordinates of each landmark as a reference by twice measurements with a one-week interval. The mean distance from the identified points to the reference points was reported as the mean consistency (MC), and the standard deviation of the mean was considered as precision of landmark identification. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test. Results: The mean distances from the points identified as nasion, point B, orbitale, anterior nasal spine (ANS), menton, coronoid process and pogonion in x, y and z axes and point A in x and z axes (p<0.001) to the reference points in Group 1 were greater than those in Group 2 with no such experience. Conclusion: Previous experience in landmark identification on 2D cephalograms does not help in landmark identification on 3D CBCT scans and may even adversely affect the results.

Contexto e Objetivo - O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o resultado da miectomia posterior em crianças com constipação crônica que se submeteram à cirurgia. Métodos - Quarenta e oito crianças com constipação crônica que não responderam à dieta, laxante ou enema, foram incluídas em nosso estudo. Crianças com enema de bário anormal, mostrando a zona de transição foram excluídas. Crianças com hipotireoidismo, diabetes e doença metabólica documentada também foram excluídas. Os pacientes foram submetidos à miectomia posterior. As crianças foram seguidas durante 1 ano após a cirurgia em relação a frequência de evacuação fecal, consistência fecal, esforço durante a defecação e diâmetro de fezes. Os dados foram analisados usando SPSS versão 13.0 (Chicago, IL, EUA). Resultados - Dos 48 casos submetidos à cirurgia, 21 eram do sexo masculino e 27 eram do sexo feminino. A faixa etária foi de 1,5 a 11 anos de idade. A duração média da constipação antes da cirurgia foi 22.79±17.08 (intervalo 6-48 meses). A duração do tratamento médico era 14.90±10.31 (intervalo = 6-48 meses). Consistência fecal, diâmetro das fezes, número de evacuações e esforço durante a defecação, foram comparados antes e depois da cirurgia. Os resultados foram estatisticamente significantes ( P <0.001). De todos os casos, 52% continuaram o tratamento da constipação após a cirurgia por 1 ano. Células ganglionares estavam ausentes em 32 pacientes e estiveram presentes em sete pacientes. Células ganglionares proximais foram encontradas em nove casos. A resposta ao tratamento não foi diferente entre os casos de acordo com a presença ou não de células ganglionares na biópsia. Conclusão - A consistência fecal, o diâmetro das fezes, o número de evacuações e o esforço para defecação, melhoraram após miectomia posterior. Para melhor avaliação do tratamento é necessário outro estudo com uma amostra maior.

Background and Objectives - The aim of this study was to evaluate the result of posterior myectomy in children with chronic constipation who underwent to this surgery. Methods - Forty eight children with chronic constipation who did not respond to diet, laxative, or enema were included. Children with abnormal barium enema showing transitional zone were excluded. Children with documented metabolic disease diabetes, and hypothyroidism were also excluded. All patients underwent posterior myectomy. Children were followed during 1 year after surgery regarding frequency of fecal evacuation, fecal consistency, straining during defecation, and diameter of feces. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 13.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). Results - Of 48 cases that underwent surgery, 21 were male and 27 were female. Age range was 1.5 to 11 years old. Mean duration of constipation before surgery was 22.79±17.08 (range 6-48 months). Mean duration of medical treatment was 14.90±10.31 (range= 6-48 months). Fecal consistency, feces diameter, number of bowel movements and straining during defecation were compared before and after surgery. The results were statistically significant ( P <0.001). Of all cases, 52% continued treatment of constipation after surgery for 1 year. Ganglion cells were absent in 32 cases. Ganglion cells were present in seven children. Proximal ganglion cell was found in nine cases Treatment response was not different between cases according to status of ganglion cell in biopsy. Conclusion - Fecal consistency, feces diameter, number of bowel movements, and straining for defecation were improved after posterior myectomy. Another study with more sample is required for better evaluation of treatment.

Um método simples confirmatório para determinação em HPLC-UV de resíduos de cetoconazol e clotrimazol em leite de vaca, após extração da fase sólida (SPE), é relatado neste artigo. Foram removidos das amostras proteínas e lipídeos por tratamento com acetonitrila e conseqüente extração em n-hexano. Os extratos foram posteriormente limpos e concentrados através de extração em fase sólida. Os analitos foram determinados quantitativamente usando um método validado de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O método foi linear no intervalo de 0,1 a 1,0 µg mL-1 para ambos analitos. Os limites de detecção e quantificação para os analitos foram iguais a 0,01 e 0,1 µg mL-1, respectivamente. Parâmetros importantes que influenciam a eficiência da extração foram investigados e otimizados. O método proposto foi aplicado à análise de amostras de leite. Foram obtidas recuperações satisfatórias no intervalo de 95,9 a 101,78%, usando SPE.

A simple confirmatory method for HPLC-UV determination of ketoconazole and clotrimazole residues in cow's milk after solid phase extraction (SPE) is reported in this article. The samples were deprived of proteins and lipids by treating with acetonitrile and consequent extraction in n-hexane. Extracts were further cleaned-up and concentrated via solid phase extraction. The analytes were determined quantitatively using a validated high performance liquid chromatography method. The method was linear in the range of 0.1-1.0 µg mL-1 for both analytes. Limits of detection and quantification for both analytes were equal to 0.01 and 0.1 µg mL-1, respectively. Important parameters influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated and then optimized; the proposed method was applied to the analysis of milk samples. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained in the range of 95.9-101.78% using SPE.