Objectives To evaluate the role of preoperative UWT in the prediction of impaction of ureteral stones stratified according to stone size in ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy. Patient and methods This study included 154 patients submitted to URSL for ureteral stones. Radiological data comprised the presence of hydronephrosis, anteroposterior pelvic diameter (PAPD), proximal ureteric diameter (PUD), and maximum UWT at the stone site. Collected stone characteristics were stone size, side, number, site, and density. Results The study included 154 patients subjected to URSL. They comprised 74 patients (48.1%) with impacted stones and 80 (51.9%) with non-impacted stones. Patients were stratified into those with stone size ≤ 10 mm and others with stone size > 10 mm. In the former group, we found that stone impaction was significantly associated with higher PAPD, PUD, and UWT. In patients with stone size > 10 mm, stone impaction was related to higher UWT, more stone number, and higher frequency of stones located in the lower ureter. ROC curve analysis revealed good power of UWT in discrimination of stone impaction in all patients [AUC (95% CI) 0.65 (0.55–0.74)] at a cut-off of 3.8 mm, in patients with stone size ≤ 10 mm [AUC (95% CI) 0.76 (0.61–0.91)] at a cut-off of 4.1 mm and in patients with stone size > 10 mm [AUC (95% CI) 0.72 (0.62–0.83)] at a cut-off of 3.0 mm. Conclusions Stratifying ureteric stones according to size would render UWT a more practical and clinically-oriented approach for the preoperative prediction of stone impaction.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ECIG smoking on color stability of simulated veneers made from lithium disilicate glass ceramics.Materials and methods: 24 specimens of lithium disilicate glass ceramic veneers were exposed to aerosols which are flavored and non-flavored with nicotine content (0, 6 and 12 mg). Six specimens were prepared for each group IPS E.Max press high translucent ceramic discs. Vacuum Induction Device was used to simulate smoking in vivo. Color measurement was performed on the specimens before and after exposure to ECIG aerosol using a calibrated spectrophotometer.Results: According to Two Way ANOVA, both flavor and nicotine contents have significant effect on color change (P <0.0001). Regarding specimens exposed to e-liquid, flavorless 0 mg. nicotine group showed the lowest value 1.044 (±0.044), while flavored 12 mg. nicotine group showed the highest values 2.369 (±0.034). As for specimens which exposed to e-liquid, flavorless group lowest value 1.197 was found, while flavored group showed the highest values 1.868. Regarding specimens which exposed to e-liquid, group which exposed to 0 mg nicotine showed the lowest value 1.268 (±0.233), while group exposed to 12 mg nicotine showed the highest values 1.868 (±0.524). Conclusion:Study showed that exposure to flavored and non-flavored ECIG aerosol of different nicotine concentrations has a significant effect on the color of lithium disilicate glass ceramic veneers. Higher concentrations of flavored nicotine had visually perceptible color changes and were deemed clinically unacceptable.

No abstract