Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) compared to grayscale B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound in differentiate benign versus malign superficial cervical lymph nodes. Material and methods: In a prospective study ultrasonography (gray scale, color and spectral Dopller, and CEUS) was performed in 61 patients (33 men, 28 women; mean age of 51.2 years, range: 18-81 years), with cervical lymphadenopathy. The nodes were examined and biopsied or surgically removed. CEUS was performed with 2.4 ml intravenous bolus of contrast agent Sono Vue and the results were registered with a special software. Results: Of all the nodes, 32 were benign and 29 were malignant (metastases). Solbiati index was higher in benign nodes (2.23 ± 0.84 vs 1.50 ± 0.48, p<0.05). Doppler parameters (vessel location, vascular pattern, pedicullum number, resistivity index, and pulsatility index) were significantly lower in benign nodes (p<0.001), and ROC analysis returned excellent results. For CEUS, derived peak intensity (DPI %) was higher in benign nodes (17.72 ± 5.43 vs 11.76 ± 4.88, p<0.05); regional blood volume (RBV) was also higher (849.8 ± 467.1 vs 458.3 ± 283.3, p<0.05). The time to peak (TTP, s) and area under the curve (AUC, cm2) were similar in both benign and malignant nodes. Enhancement pattern was the most accurate to characterize benign versus malignant nodes. Sensitivity and specificity were higher for DPI, RBV and enhancement pattern from CEUS, according to ROC analysis, compared to gray scale ultrasound, but lower than color Doppler. Analyzing the place of CEUS in lymph node evaluation we found that CEUS is most useful for the evaluation of the lymph nodes with uncertain aspect at gray scale and Doppler evaluation. Conclusions: ROC analysis confirmed the higher degree of diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in comparison with conventional techniques for some parameters such as enhancement pattern. Evaluation of nodal perfusion with this method can be helpful in the differentiation of benign from malignant nodes but requires further confirmation.

Holo-tomographic microscopy (HTM) is a label-free non-phototoxic microscopy method reporting the fine changes of a cell's refractive indexes (RI) in 3D. By combining HTM with epifluorescence, we demonstrate that cellular organelles such as Lipid droplets and mitochondria show a specific RI signature that distinguishes them with high resolution and contrast. We further show that HTM allows to follow in unprecedented ways the dynamics of mitochondria, lipid droplets as well as that of endocytic structures in live cells over long period of time, which led us to observe to our knowledge for the first time a global organelle spinning occurring before mitosis.

Three-dimensional printed surgical guides increase the precision of orthodontic mini-implant placement. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of disinfection and of two types of autoclave sterilization on the mechanical properties of 3D printed surgical guides obtained via the SLA (stereolithography) and DLP (digital light processing) printing methods. A total of 96 standard specimens (48 SLA and 48 DLP) were printed to analyze the tensile and flexural properties of the materials. A total of 80 surgical guide (40 SLA and 40 DLP) specimens from each printing method were classified into four groups: CG (control group); G1, disinfected with 4% Gigasept (Gigasept Instru AF; Schülke & Mayer Gmbh, Norderstedt, Germany); G2, autoclave-sterilized (121 °C); and G3, autoclave-sterilized (134 °C). Significant differences in the maximum compressive load were determined between the groups comprising the DLP-(p < 0.001) and the SLA- (p < 0.001) printed surgical guides. Groups G2 (p = 0.001) and G3 (p = 0.029) showed significant parameter modifications compared with the CG. Disinfection with 4% Gigasept (Gigasept Instru AF; Schülke & Mayer Gmbh, Norderstedt, Germany) is suitable both for SLA- and DLP-printed surgical guides. Heat sterilization at both 121 °C and 134 °C modified the mechanical properties of the surgical guides.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect the temporomandibular joints, the masticatory muscles, and surrounding tissues. Among symptoms such as jumps, joint noises, reduced mouth opening (closed lock), difficulties in closing the mouth (subluxation or open lock), pain is the most common symptom encountered among patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders. As literature on this topic is abundant and sometimes controversial, the authors focus on reviewing the state of art of occlusal splints indications. Therefore, the most common occlusal splints, like Lucia jig, nociceptive trigeminal inhibition (NTI), directive splints, etc., are being described, based on their design and therapeutic indications. Cases of malocclusions associated or not with parafunctions are usually manageable using the splints mentioned in this article. In case of disc displacements, occlusal appliances can be used, but as the etiology is multifactorial, there are some limitations, depending on the complexity of each clinical situation.

The prevalence of dental caries in Romania remains high. The objective of this study is to analyse the link between dental caries, salivary pH and buffer capacity and the nutritional status in children. This cross-sectional study used a sample of 162 children, between the ages of 6 and 12 years, from Mures County, Romania. The prevalence of caries was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index for deciduous teeth (dmft index) and for permanent teeth (DMFT index). In addition, height and weight were assessed for each subject, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The buffer capacity and the pH was determined after collecting stimulated saliva. Undernourished children presented a higher caries incidence and a lower salivary pH value compared with the normal weight and overweight children. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted in order to study the relationship between BMI, pH, dental caries and salivary buffer capacity. Future preventive programs should include nutrition control in order to prevent both the apparition of dental caries and of malnutrition.